Question

Viruses are currently considered non-living entities.... some scientists feel they should be classified as living...?

Please explain why scientists think this way.

Answer 1

Virusea are only composed of protein coat and nucleic acid. Some time envelope of polysachharide is also present. These are generally non living hence scientists gave them classification as non living entity. But some scientists suggest that viruses should be classified as living because when they enter into host they become active and shows characteristics like living. They replicate their genetic material and also synthesize their own protein. They hijacks the cellular mechanisms of host and may undergo lysogenic or lytic cycle.