compare and contrast the traits of viruses and bacteria. why do most scientists argue that viruses arent considered to be living things? explain in 3-5 sentences

Answer 1

Viruses and bacteria are both microorganisms, but they differ significantly in their structure and behavior. Bacteria are single-celled living organisms that possess the necessary machinery for metabolism, reproduction, and adaptation, allowing them to grow and thrive independently. In contrast, viruses are acellular entities that lack cellular structure and cannot reproduce or carry out metabolic processes on their own; they require a host cell to replicate. Most scientists argue that viruses are not considered living things because they do not exhibit the characteristics of life, such as cellular organization, metabolism, or the ability to reproduce without a host, leading to a classification as non-living entities.