Is virus a living or non-living thing?

3 Answers
Mar 11, 2016

Viruses are not made of cells and they do not reproduce themselves from other pre-existing viruses.

Explanation:

According to the cell theory, the cell is the basic unit of structure and function of living things, and all cells come from oher pre-existing cells by the process of cell reproduction.

Viruses are not composed of cells and do not reproduce themselves from other pre-existing viruses. The genetic material (DNA or RNA) inside the virus takes over the living host cell, and causes the cell to replicate virus parts and assemble them to make new viruses, which are released to infect more cells.

Mar 24, 2016

It is so as
-Viruses can be crystallised.
-They do not become active and are inert outside the host body.
-No metabolism.
-No cell organelles.
-They do not produce their own energy.

Oct 23, 2016

Viruses are non-living.

Explanation:

Here is why:
(1) Viruses are acellular, meaning they lack a cell membrane.
(2) Viruses are obligate parasites: they require a host cell to reproduce.
(3) Viruses lack an energy-generating system.
(4) Viruses perform no metabolic activities.