answersLogoWhite

0

Viruses do not behave like other living cells. For one, they can only reproduce within other organisms. And essentially that is about all they do. Granted there are negative reprocussions for the host organism, but the virus itself simply multiplies. Viruses are also smaller than cells and can use even simple bacteria as a host. They are considered to be more like "free floating chemical agents."

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Biology

Why don't scientist classify virus as living things?

Scientists do not classify viruses as living things because they lack key characteristics of living organisms, such as the ability to reproduce and carry out metabolic processes on their own. Viruses are considered biological entities that require a host cell to replicate.


Why viruses are difficult to classify as living organisms?

Viruses lack the cellular structure and independent metabolism typically found in living organisms. They can only replicate inside a host cell by hijacking the cell's machinery. This unique mode of reproduction blurs the line between living and non-living entities, making viruses challenging to classify definitively.


Why do scientist find it difficult classify viruses?

Viruses do not fit neatly into the classification system used for other organisms because they are not considered to be alive by some definitions. They lack important characteristics of living organisms, such as the ability to replicate on their own. Additionally, viruses are extremely diverse in terms of their shape, structure, and genetic material, making classification more challenging.


Who was the scientist who first came up with orderly way to classify living things?

Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish scientist, is credited with developing the system of binomial nomenclature, which is a method for naming and classifying organisms according to their genus and species. Linnaeus is known as the father of modern taxonomy for establishing a systematic and orderly way to classify living things.


Why can't we classify a virus as a living thing?

Viruses are not living things. Viruses are complicated assemblies of molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, but on their own they can do nothing until they enter a living cell. Without cells, viruses would not be able to multiply. Therefore, viruses are not living things.

Related Questions

Why don't scientist classify virus as living things?

Scientists do not classify viruses as living things because they lack key characteristics of living organisms, such as the ability to reproduce and carry out metabolic processes on their own. Viruses are considered biological entities that require a host cell to replicate.


Why do you classify viruses as obligatory intracellular parasite?

Viruses need living cells to produce more viruses. They are obliged to use living cells.


Which scientist was first the classify living things?

Aristotle


Which scientist was first to classify living things?

Aristotle


Why viruses are difficult to classify as living organisms?

Viruses lack the cellular structure and independent metabolism typically found in living organisms. They can only replicate inside a host cell by hijacking the cell's machinery. This unique mode of reproduction blurs the line between living and non-living entities, making viruses challenging to classify definitively.


Why is it difficult to classify viruses into one of the 5 kingdoms of living organisms?

Viruses lack the characteristics of living organisms, such as cellular structure and metabolism, making it challenging to classify them within the traditional system of biological classification. Additionally, viruses are considered obligate intracellular parasites that can only replicate inside host cells, further complicating their classification within the existing kingdom system.


Who was the first scientist to classify living things into two main groups?

Over 2000 years ago, a Greek scientist named Aristrotle(AIR uh staht ul) was one of the first people to classify living things.


Who was the first scientist to classify animals?

animal classifiers classify animals... its their job


Why does scientist use cell structure to classify living things?

coz it is one of the basis for classification...


Why do scientist find it difficult classify viruses?

Viruses do not fit neatly into the classification system used for other organisms because they are not considered to be alive by some definitions. They lack important characteristics of living organisms, such as the ability to replicate on their own. Additionally, viruses are extremely diverse in terms of their shape, structure, and genetic material, making classification more challenging.


How do scientists classify the parts of the ecosystem?

scientist classify parts of an ecosystem by biotic things (living things) and abiotic things ( nonliving things).


What is the difference between bacteria and viruses show that bacteria are living organism and viruses are not?

Bacteria are able to reproduce on their own while viruses need a host to "hijack" so they can reproduce. Bacteria have metabolisms, catabolic and anabolic biochemical reactions going on in their cells all the time. Viruses do not. Bacteria can grow in size to a certain extent while viruses do not change in this regard. The definition of living things classify bacteria as a living thing, while viruses are not.