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?
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?
