Is virus a living or non-living thing?

The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function of living things, according to the cell theory, and through the process of cell reproduction, all cells originate from other pre-existing cells.

The genetic material (DNA or RNA) inside the virus takes over the living host cell, causing the cell to replicate virus parts and assemble them to make new viruses, which are then released to infect more cells. Viruses are not composed of cells, nor do they reproduce themselves from other pre-existing viruses.

Because viruses lack a metabolism, cell organelles, the ability to crystallize, the ability to become inactive and inert outside of the host body, and the ability to produce their own energy, this is the case.

Here is why: (1) Viruses are acellular, meaning they lack a cell membrane. (2) Viruses are obligate parasites: they require a host cell to reproduce. (3) Viruses lack an energy-generating system. (4) Viruses perform no metabolic activities.

Viruses are considered non-living entities because they lack most of the characteristics typically associated with living organisms, such as metabolism and the ability to reproduce independently.