Why are viruses known as the intermediate between living and non-living entities?

Explanation

Viruses are the intermediate between living and non-living entities.
Viruses resembles living beings which arc as follows:
1. Presence of nucleic acid and protein.
2. Capable of mutation.
3. Ability to multiply within living cells.
4. Able to infect and cause diseases in living beings.
5. Show irritability.
6. Host -specific.
Viruses resembles non-living beings which are as follows:
1. Can be crystallized.
2. Absence of metabolism.
3. Inactive outside the host.
4. Do not show functional autonomy.
5. Energy producing enzyme system is absent. Hence viruses are said to be intermediate between living and non-living entities.