Question #c3964
1 Answer
In between!
Explanation:
Viruses are on borderline of living and nonliving.
They are living inside their host and non-living outside. Viruses are called intracellular obligate parasites which mean they are compelled to be inside a cell in order to perform their job i.e to cause infection.
Viruses as living: (inside their living host)
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Have genetic material i.e either
#"DNA"# or#"RNA"# . -
Can undergo mutation.
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Show irritability.
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Are capable to reproduce and hence can increase their number.
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React to heat, chemicals and radiations.
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Are resistant to antibiotics.
Viruses as non-living: (outside their host)
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Can be crystallized.
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Are inert outside the host.
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Lack cell membrane and cell wall.
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Can't grow in size, shape or something like that. Don't possess any sort of nutrients.
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Don't respire or breathe & also don't excrete.
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Don't undergo their own metabolism.
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Lack any energy producing system and are totally dependent on their host for their reproduction and metabolism.
Hope it helps...
