Question

Why are viruses considered to be on the borderline between living and non-living things?

Answer 1

Viruses do not grow and reproduce by themselves, which make them non-living. However, when a virus enters a living cell of an organism, it makes use of the resources in the host cell and starts reproducing. This makes viruses living as reproduction is an important characteristic of a living organism. Hence, viruses are considered to be on the borderline of living and non-living things.