Asked by Anonymous

What fundamental characteristic prevents viruses from being classified as living organisms despite having some traits of life? (1 point)
Responses

Do not use energy
Do not use energy

Cannot evolve independently
Cannot evolve independently

Cannot reproduce independently
Cannot reproduce independently

Lack cellular structure

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Lack cellular structure

Viruses are acellular (not made of cells), so they cannot carry out independent metabolism or reproduction without a host cell.