But all living things seem to have one thing in common. They all contain cells. Some organisms consist of only a single cell. Other organisms, like you, are made up of many cells. Unlike these organisms, Viruses are not cells and do not contain cells.
Viruses are actually tiny particles that contain hereditary material.
Because viruses are not cells, they cannot perform the life functions of living cells . They cannot, for example, take food in food or get rid of wastes. About the only similarity that viruses share with cells is that viruses are able to reproduce. However, viruses cannot reproduce on their own. They need the help of living cells.