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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

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12y ago
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5mo ago

Viruses lack the ability to carry out metabolic processes, reproduce on their own, or grow. They require a host cell to replicate and do not exhibit the characteristics of living organisms when outside of a host. This dependence on a host for survival is a key reason why viruses are considered non-living entities.

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13y ago

viruses are those living organisms which live inside the host cell and reproduce but its free means outside the cell they cannot respire ,reproduce etc thats why we considered virus as non-living.

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Wiki User

12y ago

Viruses are not dead, they are just not a living organism: however, when you get a vaccination they are weakened so your immune system will be able to handle them and be ready for when you actually do get the virus your body will know how to fight the intruders. When you have a cold, or the flu; the virus attacks your cells and implants its DNA into the cell causing the cell to explode. Therefore, causing the virus to spread even more quickly. so they are DEAD!

because they don't have cells

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8y ago

Many scientists consider viruses to be non living because each and every living organism must carry out these 7 life processes for it to be considered living: Movement, Reproduction, Sensitivity, Growth, Respiration, Excretion and Nutrition. Viruses do all of these things except reproduction, which they cannot do. Instead, they multiply by using other living organism's cells which has caused a lot of debate over whether that counts as reproduction in the scientific community.

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15y ago

Yes they are dead according to science research.

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13y ago

Although viruses contain many characteristics of living organisms, they are not considered alive by the standpoint that they are not made up of cells.

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Q: Why are viruses is considered to be non living?
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Related questions

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.


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.


Viruses living or non living?

There actually living


What are the differances viruses and bacteria?

viruses are non living and bacteria are living organisms


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.