Question

Prions are proteins with the ability to generate more prions by causing other proteins to misfold into a similar shape. Since prions are proteins, they have a genetic sequence associated with them and their ability to create more prions allows them to reproduce. Why aren’t prions considered alive?

Answer 1

They're not made up of cells, and they don't have any kind of metabolism. Because they lack genetic material and a cellular structure, prions are less often grouped in with living things than viruses. ... What is the case for viruses being alive?