Question

Why are viruses not included in any of the five kingdoms?

(a) There are already more than thousands of organisms in the five kingdoms and hence, no space to include viruses

(b) Viruses are not living organisms

(c) Viruses reproduce rapidly which is in fact weird and therefore they are not classified under any of the five kingdoms

(d) Viruses are so small that they can’t be studied

I had been asked this question in quiz.

Enquiry is from Biological Classification topic in chapter Biological Classification of Biology – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct answer is (b) Viruses are not living organisms

To elaborate: Unlike organisms in the other five kingdoms which are living, viruses are non-living organisms. They don’t even have basic unit of life i.e. cell. Hence, they are not categorized in any of the kingdoms.