what characteristics of life do viruses lack
Viruses lack some characteristics of living organisms. Outside of living cells, viruses are not alive. Outside of the living cells, viruses cannot move, grow, or reproduce. Viruses require living cells called host cells to be alive.Ultimately, viruses act as parasites and harm or destroy their host cells.iruses are structurally simpler than regular cells. Outside of the host cells, viruses are inactive. However, inside living cells, viruses show some of the characteristics of living things. Viruses are not made up of cells.