Scientists’ understanding of viruses has advanced greatly in the last fifty years. Which statements give evidence to support the classification of viruses as nonliving?

Question

Responses

Viruses must infect living host cells in order to reproduce.
Viruses must infect living host cells in order to reproduce.

Viruses have their own genetic material.
Viruses have their own genetic material.

Viruses are made up of proteins, nucleic acids, and sometimes lipids.
Viruses are made up of proteins, nucleic acids, and sometimes lipids.

Viruses often mutate to evade the immune system

Answer 1

The statement that provides evidence to support the classification of viruses as nonliving is:

"Viruses must infect living host cells in order to reproduce."

This statement highlights the dependence of viruses on living organisms for reproduction, which is a characteristic that distinguishes nonliving entities from living organisms. While viruses do contain genetic material and are made up of biological macromolecules like proteins and lipids, their inability to carry out metabolic processes or reproduce independently reinforces the argument for their classification as nonliving.

The other statements, although they describe aspects of viruses, do not directly support the idea of them being nonliving.