Ask your own question, for FREE!
Biology 22 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

do viruses belongs to one of the domains from life

OpenStudy (destinymasha):

Nope. They are not considered to be alive..

OpenStudy (abb0t):

This is debatable as some scientists do consider them as nonliving and other living.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

As of now the answer is no. Viruses cannot survive on their own because of the absence of metabolic machinery. They are non-living entities outside a cell but become living when inside a cell and they are considered living when inside a cell because they come to possess one of the essential criteria for defining life ie reproduction. So when inside a living cell viruses multiply rapidly and thus are considered living but outside a living cell they cannot multiply or reproduce.

Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!
Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!