4-22-2015 there are multiple characteristics if living things.a big question for science people is " why is bacteria living and viruses not?" One of the main characteristics for all living things is reproduction. whether it be a sexual or sexual reproduction, all living things need to be able to multiply. Bacteria can reproduce, however viruses cannot. that is just one of the reasons why viruses are not living. Living things must be able to grow and metabolize. along with not being able to reproduce, viruses cannot grow or metabolize without the help of another cell.