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They are not dead or alive, although there is an ongoing debate to whether viruses are alive or not.
A virus (from the Latin virus meaning toxin or poison) is a microscopic infectious agent that can reproduce only inside a host cell. It is able to mutate, because of the difference in the DNA of the host. Your body can create antibodies of a virus or with a vaccination, a dormant virus can be inserted into your body, and your body will create antibodies of the dormant virus. Although, there is an ongoing debate to whether viruses are alive or not. With the facts given, it is up to you to decide if viruses are alive or not. All Living things:
-are composed of cells with a complex, organized structure
-actively maintain their complex structure and internal environment (homeostasis)
-respond to stimuli in their environment
-acquire and use materials and energy from their environment and convert them into new forms
-reproduce, using the molecular blueprint of DNA
-have the capacity to evolve
Viruses:
-are not made of cells and do not have cells
-cannot accomplish the basic tasks of living cells
-have no ribosomes to make protein
-have no cytoplasm
-cannot acquire energy or steal the host's energy
-cannot grow or reproduce by themselves or with other viruses
-do not respond to stimuli
-cannot maintain a stable internal environment
-can evolve
What else can I help you with?
Why are viruses non living?
Viruses are considered non-living because they are not cells. They do not exhibit some characteristics of life such as reproduction and growth.
Are viruses eukaryotes?
No, viruses are not considered to be eukaryotes. They are non-cellular entities that lack many characteristics of living cells, such as the ability to carry out metabolic processes on their own. Instead, viruses rely on host cells to replicate and survive.
Are there non cellular living organisms?
The closest thing that we have to non cellular living organisms is viruses, and there is some debate about whether they qualify as living things, or should be regarded instead as self-replicating poisons.
Can a virus live outside a cell?
No
Why arent viruses living?
Viruses are considered non-living because they cannot carry out essential life processes on their own, such as metabolizing nutrients or replicating. They require a host cell to replicate and do not have the ability to grow or respond to stimuli independently.
Why are viruses non living?
Viruses are considered non-living because they are not cells. They do not exhibit some characteristics of life such as reproduction and growth.
What viruses are considered non living?
Viruses are considered non-living because they cannot carry out cellular activities on their own. They require a host cell to replicate and do not possess the ability to metabolize or grow.
Are viruses living why?
Viruses are not considered living organisms because they lack basic characteristics of life, such as the ability to replicate on their own or carry out metabolic processes. They require a host cell to reproduce and are considered to be more like biological entities that exist in a gray area between living and non-living.
Do viruses have both animal and plant charateristics?
No. They are considered the dividing line between living and non-living.
What has living characteristics but is not alive?
Viruses have some characteristics of life but these are not considered living organisms as they are non cellular.
What is the smallest non primate?
Bacteria are the smallest living creatures. Viruses are smaller but generally not considered living creatures.
Why are viruses classified as non living particles?
They do not reproduce asexually or sexually. Viruses need a host like a cell in order to reproduce. In the dormant state, they are virions, and considered to be nonliving. However, in their active state, as viruses, they are considered to be living organisms.
Viruses living or non living?
There actually living
What are the differances viruses and bacteria?
viruses are non living and bacteria are living organisms
Is a nonliving particles that causes disease?
Viruses are considered to be non-living things, and are capable of causing disease. The reason viruses are not considered living is because they lack many of the characteristics of life until they infect a host cell.
Which contagions are considered to be nonliving organisms?
Viruses, although the opinion on their non-living status may be changing.
What is a nonliving particle that causes a disease?
Viruses are considered to be non-living things, and are capable of causing disease. The reason viruses are not considered living is because they lack many of the characteristics of life until they infect a host cell.
