Are Viruses Alive

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Viruses Alive or Non-Living Are viruses considered alive? Some people say yes some people say no, this is a debatable question.First off a virus is a strand of DNA or RNA. A virus attacks and bursts cells. When they do that they make you sick in some cases can kill you. Next there are certain characteristics that determine if something is alive or non-living. Such as being able to grow and develope, being able to reproduce, being able to obtain and use energy, being able to interact with its environment, and it must have one or more cells. A virus lacks four of the five characteristics. Viruses can’t reproduce without a host cell, they don’t interact with their environment, they don’t obtain and use energy, and they don’t have any cells.