Question #c3964

1 Answer
Jan 30, 2018

In between!

Explanation:

Viruses are on borderline of living and nonliving.
They are living inside their host and non-living outside. Viruses are called intracellular obligate parasites which mean they are compelled to be inside a cell in order to perform their job i.e to cause infection.

Viruses as living: (inside their living host)

  • Have genetic material i.e either #"DNA"# or #"RNA"#.

  • Can undergo mutation.

  • Show irritability.

  • Are capable to reproduce and hence can increase their number.

  • React to heat, chemicals and radiations.

  • Are resistant to antibiotics.

Viruses as non-living: (outside their host)

  • Can be crystallized.

  • Are inert outside the host.

  • Lack cell membrane and cell wall.

  • Can't grow in size, shape or something like that. Don't possess any sort of nutrients.

  • Don't respire or breathe & also don't excrete.

  • Don't undergo their own metabolism.

  • Lack any energy producing system and are totally dependent on their host for their reproduction and metabolism.

Hope it helps...