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When scientists classify living things, they do not include viruses. This is because viruses

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...require a living host cell to survive.
User Phastasm
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Answer & explanation:

Viruses are not considered to be living beings, as they do not belong to any of the five kingdoms that classify organisms, and are not made up of cells. Viruses are primarily proteinaceous particles that carry nucleic acid (DNA, RNA or both) in small quantities.

In addition, viruses have no metabolic activity, such as using energy or capturing nutrients, without infecting a living host cell, subverting their metabolism to produce more viruses.

User Swagg
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