Consider again the discussion of "properties of life" and describe at least three distinct reasons why viruses are not classified as living organisms.

Answers may vary.The basic unit of life is the cell and all cells come from pre-existing cells.Cells are metabolically active,acquiring,transforming,and using energy.A virus does not qualify as living because it is acellular.Viruses can best be described as nucleic acid surrounded and protected by a protein shell.Cells reproduce either sexually or asexually to form new cells and/or new organisms.Viral components are synthesized during the biosynthesis phase and then assembled in the maturation phase of a virus life cycle.A whole virus does not divide to become new viruses,nor are sex cells produced.Viruses are metabolically inactive unless inside of a host cell.Once inside,nucleic acid replication,transcription and translation may occur,as the host cell's machinery is commandeered by the virus.