answersLogoWhite

0

Because viruses don't exhib all the signs that indicate life. You might know this as MRS GREN: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretement, and Nutrition. Viruses don't respire, excrete or require nutrition, like living things do, but exhibit enough of the life signs to cause debate about where they stand.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Why is a virus considered a none living thing?

Viruses lack the basic characteristics of living organisms, such as the ability to reproduce on their own or carry out metabolic processes. They can only replicate inside a host cell by hijacking the cell's machinery, which is why they are typically classified as non-living.


What is the relationship between virus and a host cell?

Parasitic


Is Ebola a bacteria fungus or bacteriaor virus?

It is not. HIV is a virus. It has a completely different make-up from a bacteria. The most important difference between a bacteria and a virus is that a virus does not have the ability to replicate on its own. It needs a host, another cell, to reproduce, unlike bacteria which can reproduce on their own.


What is a Polymorphic virus?

A polymorphic virus is an advanced type of computer virus. It is similar to an encrypted virus in that it consists of an encrypted copy of the virus and a small decrypting module but every time a polymorphic virus infects a file it encrypts itself differently and rewrites the decrypting module. A well written polymorphic virus therefore has no parts that remain the same between infections making it hard for anti-virus software to detect using virus signatures.


Do viruses have scientific names?

Yes, viruses have scientific names that are typically based on their classification, such as the type of virus and where it was first isolated. These names are often used in scientific research and taxonomy to distinguish between different viruses.

Related Questions

What is a good virus removal program that I can download for free?

Two of the most highly regarded free virus removal programs are Microsoft Security Essentials and Avast. They can be set to run virus scans when you are not using your computer, and have no malware or spyware.


What is the difference between thread and virus?

A virus runs in a thread, as do all programs. The difference between a generic thread and a virus is that the thread may not be harmful, while the virus generally is.


Why is a virus considered a none living thing?

Viruses lack the basic characteristics of living organisms, such as the ability to reproduce on their own or carry out metabolic processes. They can only replicate inside a host cell by hijacking the cell's machinery, which is why they are typically classified as non-living.


What is the difference between computer virus and a human body virus?

Computer virus' attack switches whereas human virus' affect cells.


Why should viresus be alive?

It's a good question. Some people argue that viruses AREN'T really alive in the usual sense but occupy a zone between life and nonlife. The tobacco mosaic virus, for instance, can sort of "dry up" into a crystal which shows no signs of life but these crystals, injected into a tobacco plant, can produce more viruses, and reproduction is a sign of living things. It might interest you to know that "virus" is from the Latin word for "slime," so people didn't think of them so much as "things" but more as "stuff."


What is the relationship that exists between a virus and a human when the virus infects the human?

pathogen/host


What is the difference between a pathogenic bacteria and a virus?

A pathogenic bacterium is alive while a virus is not.


What is the difference between a common animal virus and a retrovirus?

The difference between a common animal virus and a retrovirus is that a retrovirus only contains RNA while a common animal virus will have DNA or RNA.


Avast or PC Doctor for Virus Protection Software?

Avast is a highly regarded antivirus program in general. It should be about as good as any commercial offering.


What is difference between scanning virus and removing virus?

Scanning virus only help to find the virus inside your computer disks, but do no other actions, virus is still in your computer. But Removing virus not only find it, but also remove the virus from your computer. Thus no such virus will remain in your computer after that.


What is the difference between having HIV and Aids?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Hence, HIV in the virus and AIDS is the disease that results from the virus.


What is the difference between virus and baterias?

Bacteria has both DNA and RNA where as Virus has either DNA or RNA