Are viruses a form of life? The simple answer!

Since the outbreak of 2020 pandemic many people are wondering whether the viruses are alive, and the answer is: somewhat.

The viruses carry genetic information and are able to reproduce inside a host cell. They also can mutate for a better adaptation to the environment. But they still lack their own cells, so we cannot call them living creatures. As long as a virus is outside a host cell, it is just a protein ball with RNA chain hidden inside.

Scientists define viruses as non-cellular forms of life or, in other words, objects at the edge of life. In this case we have something between a bacteria and a piece of protein.