EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Specifically, they are pieces of genetic material (RNA or DNA) contained in a special coating of proteins called capsids. Viruses cannot replicate unless absorbed by cells in our body. Once a virus is outside the body, its capsid starts to degrade, and the more degraded its capsid is, the less likely it is to survive.

Detailed explanation-2: -Since viruses are intracellular parasites, they rely on their host cells for the energy, macromolecular synthesis machinery and the work benches for genome replication and particle assembly.

Detailed explanation-3: -A virus is a tiny, infectious particle that can reproduce only by infecting a host cell. Viruses “commandeer” the host cell and use its resources to make more viruses, basically reprogramming it to become a virus factory. Because they can’t reproduce by themselves (without a host), viruses are not considered living.

Detailed explanation-4: -Many of the viruses today are entirely dependent upon their host’s cells for their survival and replication. It is erroneous, or extremely naïve, to believe that viruses depend solely on chance for their replication and dissemination.

Detailed explanation-5: -Viruses are a non-living collection of molecules that need a host to survive. Viruses need to enter a living cell (such as a human cell) to be able to reproduce, and once inside they take over all of the cellular machinery and force the cell to make new virus.