What distinguishes viruses from other microbes?

Answer 1

A virus does not have a cell membrane, as most all other living things. So some biologists do not consider them to be alive. The way a virus works is by hijacking a cell, either in a single cell bacteria or cells of a multi-cellular organism. It gets inside the cell membrane and then attacks the mitochondria, which are the energy units inside cells. Then it uses the cell's energy and resources to replicate itself, thereby killing the cell. There is treatment for some types of virus, like the flu virus.

Answer 2

While other living organisms reproduce and live by themselves, viruses do the same only after entering the body of other living organisms.They do so by using the cellular machinary of the host.In other words, they are nonliving as long as they are existing own their own, and shows signs of life only when they enter living organisms.

Answer 3

Viruses are different from other microorganisms as they are too much smaller in comparision to any other microorganism. They are not cells and do not contain cell organelles. They cannot multiply on their own. For this, they need to enter a living host cell.

Answer 4

Viruses are not alive. They are not made of cells, they do not require energy, they cannot reproduce themselves. They hijack the host DNA and add their own genetic material and make the cell make virus parts and assemble them until the host cell bursts, releasing the new viruses.

Answer 5

Other microbes typically consist of a single cell. Viruses, while they do have genetic information and undergo evolution and reproduction much like standard organisms, do not consist of cells, but rather are made of organic material that does not quite constitute what we'd call a cell. Additionally, cellular organisms reproduce, in one way or another, through the splitting of other, existing cells. Viruses not only require a host cell in order to reproduce, but they do not divide, and instead are assembled from organic material within the host cell.

Answer 6

Viruses do not have cells or a metabolism and cannot reproduce on their own. Most scientists do not consider them to be living. In contrast, bacteria and fungi have cells, metabolism, and are able to reproduce.

Answer 7

Viruses are different by their size.

Fungi is biggest, then bacteria, and then Viruses.

Answer 8

Viruses are not alive.