Virus
바이러스
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<speciesfyi-glossary slug="virus"></speciesfyi-glossary>Definition
A submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of a host organism.
Detailed Explanation
Viruses exist in a gray zone between living and non-living — they possess genetic information and evolve, but cannot reproduce independently or metabolize. Their extraordinary diversity includes bacteriophages (infecting bacteria), retroviruses (integrating into host DNA), and giant viruses larger than some bacteria. Approximately 8% of the human genome consists of endogenous retroviruses — remnants of ancient viral integrations. Viruses also play positive ecological roles by controlling bacterial populations.