Question

Why are viruses and prions excluded from the domains of life?

Answer 1

Viruses and prions:

1. Viruses are acellular microscopic organism that is considered dead in the surrounding environment.
2. They contain a protein coat and RNA, and use host machinery to reproduce.
3. The term Prion means proteinaceous infectious particles. Prions are responsible for several neurological diseases which were transmitted by an agent consisting of the abnormally folded protein.
4. Both viruses and prions are acellular, have no mechanism for metabolism of energy. and do not meet the criteria of life and hence are excluded from the domains of life.