How viruses reproduce without cells?

1 Answer

jerichorayel's profile pic

jerichorayel | College Teacher | (Level 2) Senior Educator

Posted on

Viruses are considered acellular or not made up of cells. It has no biological functions unless they are inside the host cells. From this, we can see that replication of viruses doesn't happen outside the host cells and cannot reproduce. The virus needs the machinery and molecules of the host cells for it to multiply. 

If we deal with this hypothetically, a virus needs energy, the DNA or RNA, molecules for metabolism. If this can be available for the virus, there is a “chance” that they can reproduce. Well, if they can find DNA or RNA in the air which is not destroyed. If in the case all the things they need are inside the protein coat or envelope of lipids, their biological classification will be changed.