Personally, I think they aren't.
They don't exhibit ALL the characteristics of living things.
Without a "host cell", the virus is just there. As still as a rock. (not literally though...)
2006-06-26 00:58:19 · 17 answers · asked by Amiel 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
No. In order to be deemed "living" it must meet the following criteria:
1) Require energy
2) Made of cells
3) Reproduce
4) Display hereditary
5) Respond to the environment
6) Maintain homeostasis
7) Evolve & Adapt
2006-06-26 01:15:45 · answer #1 · answered by Emerson 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2
2016-08-25 05:24:43 · answer #2 · answered by Delbert 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bi logically speaking any thing that replicates itself and hence reproduces in any sort of way is a living thing.
Viruses do replicate themselves inside a cell they infect and the also mutate to various strains. That they remain dormant for long time till everything is right for reproducing is another point suggesting that they are living things.
2006-06-26 01:08:27 · answer #3 · answered by sudiptocool 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Viruses are living things. Yes, they are different from all life as we more ussually recognize it in cells, but they do replicate themsleves. They are just entirely parasitic, so without a host they have no life functions.
2006-06-26 01:12:32 · answer #4 · answered by evil_tiger_lily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not in my book.
They lack the central quality of living things, having an internal metabolism.
That's fine though, it illustrates how wrong the idea is, that things are either alive like you and me, or dead like a stone.
The middle ground is good to have for explanatory purposes.
2006-06-26 04:08:36 · answer #5 · answered by corvis_9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Viruses are a problem.
Scientist consider them living and nonliving.
Its like this.Viruses need a specific heat condition to survice.(human body heat usually).When the temperature is either more or less than what is required by them they form a crystal and live inside it in a dormant stage.So they are considered living and nonliving according to their environment.
2006-06-26 01:29:55 · answer #6 · answered by karthikeyan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Active viruses are living things. While they cannot do anything without a host cell, I also cannot do anything without a doughnut or cheeseburger.
2006-06-28 07:29:12 · answer #7 · answered by Nerdly Stud 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, it depends whom you ask.
Classically, no, because they do not carry on the basic life processes other than reproduction. They also lack a formal taxonomy.
In the new(er), molecular view, some scientists beleive they should be included.
2006-06-26 01:04:27 · answer #8 · answered by alannabear34 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes they are living thing the biggest evidence is that they can multiply in the host body and they can be crystallized to so its 50-50
2006-06-26 01:05:51 · answer #9 · answered by heat break kid 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a micro course
Viruses are the smallest living things
they are intraobligate parasites
2006-06-26 15:46:16 · answer #10 · answered by enviroman2222 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋