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by Answerbag Staff on January 14th, 2010

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Why are viruses not living organisms?

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  • by Francis J. Matthews on January 14th, 2010

    Answerbag Experts

    Great Answer

    Professionally Researched. (What's this?)

    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.

    Source:

    Virus Primer

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