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Why don't most scientist consider viruses to be alive?

Most scientists consider viruses as the link between living an non living organisms. Viruses are considered non-living by some scientists because - 1) They donot perform any metabolic activities. 2) Outside the host cell , viruses are present only in crystalised form. (Even after it is un-crystalised , it does not lose it's capacity for infection) 3) It does not require any sort of "food".


How are bacteria different from viruses?

viruses are not alive. APEX


Why scientist believe that virus are not living organisms?

Well, honey, scientists don't believe viruses are living organisms because they lack the ability to carry out essential life processes on their own. They can't reproduce without hijacking a host cell, so they're more like freeloaders than independent living beings. It's like calling a computer virus a living thing just because it can mess up your day.


Why do scientists have difficulty including viruses in the category of living organisms?

Because a virus is not a living cell. It consists of an outer coat of protein surrounding a core of DNA or RNA. A virus can reproduce while it is inside a living host cell, but outside the host organism, it shows no sign of life. As such, viruses are not included in any of the six kingdoms of living things.


Can a virus replicate outside a living cell?

What we need to understand is, viruses do not have its own synthetic machinery such as ribosomes to make proteins. Hence they are completely dependent on the host synthetic machinery for their replication. Virus infects the host cells, integrate its genetic material with the host to produce progeny viral particles.

Related Questions

Why do you consider viruses as non living outside host?

Viruses either have a strand of DNA or RNA not both like living organisms. They need a host (you and me) in order to replicate.


Is the smallest living organism?

I think currently the smallest living organisms are thought to be "viroids", which are smaller than viruses. Scientists are still figuring out exactly what viroids are, and do, but they are able to replicate, which means they are life.


How fast does DNA replicate in living organisms?

DNA replication in living organisms typically occurs at a rate of about 50 to 100 nucleotides per second.


What can living organisms provide evidence about the past?

Scientists can see th fossils and the living organisms.


What is unique job of DNA?

To replicate living organisms. It's quite good at it, too.


Are coral reef living thing?

Some scientists do regard coral reefs as living organisms because they are colonies of tiny, living organisms.


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 viruses infect living organisms?

Because the living organism has to replicate the DNA that the virus infects the host with. It can't do this if it is a dead organism.


Why don't most scientist consider viruses to be alive?

Most scientists consider viruses as the link between living an non living organisms. Viruses are considered non-living by some scientists because - 1) They donot perform any metabolic activities. 2) Outside the host cell , viruses are present only in crystalised form. (Even after it is un-crystalised , it does not lose it's capacity for infection) 3) It does not require any sort of "food".


How are bacteria different from viruses?

viruses are not alive. APEX


Why scientist believe that virus are not living organisms?

Well, honey, scientists don't believe viruses are living organisms because they lack the ability to carry out essential life processes on their own. They can't reproduce without hijacking a host cell, so they're more like freeloaders than independent living beings. It's like calling a computer virus a living thing just because it can mess up your day.


What is the smallest group into which scientists classify living things?

The smallest group into which scientists classify living things is a species. A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.