Responses
Yes, viruses are alive because they can reproduce.
Yes, viruses are alive because they can reproduce.
Yes, viruses are alive because they have genetic material.
Yes, viruses are alive because they have genetic material.
No, viruses are not alive because they do not have genetic material nor can they reproduce
No, viruses are not alive because they do not have genetic material nor can they reproduce
No, viruses are not alive because they rely on a host organism to be able to reproduce.
1 answer
The most accurate response is:
No, viruses are not alive because they rely on a host organism to be able to reproduce.
Viruses do contain genetic material and can reproduce, but they cannot do so independently. They must infect a host cell and hijack the host's cellular machinery in order to replicate themselves. This dependence on a host for reproduction is one reason why many biologists consider viruses to be non-living entities.
