* Simple organism: Viruses are not considered to be truly alive because they lack the cellular structure and metabolic processes of living cells. They are essentially packages of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat.
* Reproduce within a living plant or animal cell: Viruses cannot reproduce on their own. They must invade a living cell and hijack its cellular machinery to create copies of themselves. This process is called viral replication.
* Often cause disease: Viral infections can lead to a wide range of diseases, from the common cold to more serious conditions like HIV/AIDS or Ebola.
Let me know if you'd like to learn more about viruses!
