NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -This is because both the living and non-living viruses are characteristic. Viruses can replicate inside a host as in any other living organism, for example, but when the virus lies beyond the host cell the capacity to reproduce is lost.

Detailed explanation-2: -Viruses are not considered “alive” because they lack many of the properties that scientists associate with living organisms. Primarily, they lack the ability to reproduce without the aid of a host cell.

Detailed explanation-3: -Viruses are not made out of cells, they can’t keep themselves in a stable state, they don’t grow, and they can’t make their own energy. Even though they definitely replicate and adapt to their environment, viruses are more like androids than real living organisms.

Detailed explanation-4: -Outside of a host cell, viruses do not use any energy. They only become active when they come into contact with a host cell. Once activated, they use the host cell’s energy and tools to make more viruses. Because they do not use their own energy, some scientists do not consider them alive.

Detailed explanation-5: -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.