# Explain why viruses are not placed in any of the five kingdoms used to classify living organisms.

> WJEC GCSE Biology (Wales) — 2.1.1 Classification · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Viruses are not made of cells / do not have a cellular structure
2. All five kingdoms contain organisms that are made of cells / are cellular
3. Viruses cannot carry out life processes independently / can only reproduce inside a host cell
4. Therefore viruses are not considered to be living organisms / do not meet the criteria used to define living organisms used in classification

## Key terms

- [kingdoms](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/kingdoms)
- [viruses](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/viruses)
- [living organisms](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/living-organisms)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC GCSE Biology (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-viruses-are-not-placed-7f9d343b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.