Are viruses living or nonliving?: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 12, 2026

Photos

Structure of influenza virus

A step-by-step diagram shows viruses attaching to and entering a body cell, releasing their genetic material, taking over the cell's machinery to produce new viruses, and releasing them to infect other cells.

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virus bacteriophage coronavirus hantavirus papillomavirus retrovirus hepadnavirus herpesvirus filovirus bunyavirus adenovirus