Why are viruses not living organisms?
by 
The Curious Bag
ANSWERS: 1
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Viruses are similar to single-celled organisms in structure, but means of reproduction differentiate the two and indicate that viruses are not living organisms.
Cells
All living organisms are formed of one or more cells, which contain genetic information and are surrounded by a cell membrane.
Reproduction
Cells can reproduce in several fashions, but reproduction occurs internally through the combination of new genetic information, as well as through certain organelles in more evolved bacteria.
Viruses
Viruses also contain genetic information, but they do not have anything else in a membrane surrounding their genetic information.
Viral Reproduction
A virus inserts its DNA or RNA into a host cell, causing the host to create viral cells rather than perform its original function.
Distinctions
Viruses require other cells in order to propagate, rather than reproducing on their own, and as such are not considered living organisms.
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