Viruses' Place in the Six Kingdoms of Life - Do Viruses Belong in the Six Kingdoms of Life?

Viruses' Place in the Six Kingdoms of Life

Do viruses belong in the six kingdoms of life?

Viruses are small intracellular parasites that contain either a RNA or DNA genome surrounded by a protective, virus-coded protein coat with a mixture of nucleic acid. Viruses do not have the ability to reproduce, or carry out any metabolic processes (like eating), but do have the ability of replicate or copy themselves by using their host cell's DNA. Viruses are non-living organisms because they are acellular, that is, they contain no cytoplasm or cellular organelles but are merely parasitic chemicals. However, they do reproduce at an accelerated rate, but only in living host cells.

The six kingdoms of life consist of all living things that have basic common characteristics. The common characteristics are as follow; cellular organization, metabolism, homeostasis, growth and reproduction, and heredity. From their common characteristics, they are next categorized into six groups called Kingdoms; Bacteria, Archaea, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

In conclusion, viruses do not belong in any group of the kingdoms of life, simply because they are not living. Viruses require a host cell to function and cannot survive independently, while organism in kingdom do not depend of a host.