How do viruses relate to the characteristics of life?
Answers
Explanation:
Viruses are not made of cells, they do not require energy, they do not reproduce on their own, they do not grow or develop.
They have a protein coat and genetic material, either DNA or RNA, which allow them to enter a host cell, combine its genetic material with the host's DNA, which will turn the host cell into a virus factory, in which the cell will manufacture virus parts and assemble them according to the instructions in the virus genetic material.
[Viruses do, however, show some characteristics of living things. They are made of proteins and glycoproteins like cells are. They contain genetic information needed to produce more viruses in the form of DNA or RNA. They evolve to adapt to their hosts. So while it is doubtful viruses are truly alive, they are clearly very similar to living organisms.]
Note: But whether viruses are living or not still remains a controversial topic.
Hope it helps....