Viruses: Living or Nonliving? (Leaving Cert Biology): Flashcards

Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) & protein coat

Can only replicate when in a host cell

No membranes or cell organelles

Not members of any of the five kingdoms

On the border between living and non-living

Have nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)

Can replicate and pass on genetic information

Have a protein coat

Only one type (DNA or RNA), not both like living things

Cannot reproduce alone, need host cell

No organelles (no ribosomes, mitochondria, etc.)

Cannot respire or feed