why do they claim that virus is not a living organism?
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why do they claim that virus is not a living organism?
as far as i know all living organisms have got 7 characteristics. virus fulfils just one of them which is reproduction.
so is this the point of the division; that it fulfils just one and not the rest of the characteristics? i have read somewhere that some scientists believe that its a freestyler genetic material escaped from the main organism... sorry cannot express my self correctly. hope i was clear enough.... is just a question that i ve had for years in my mind but didnt have a person to discuss about it. thank you!
so is this the point of the division; that it fulfils just one and not the rest of the characteristics? i have read somewhere that some scientists believe that its a freestyler genetic material escaped from the main organism... sorry cannot express my self correctly. hope i was clear enough.... is just a question that i ve had for years in my mind but didnt have a person to discuss about it. thank you!
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abbielehman
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This might help you decide!
There are 4 basic criteria that all living organisms meet, as I learned from my rockin' Bio prof:
1)All living things obey the laws of chemistry and physics.
2)All living things use DNA.
3)All living things require energy.
4)All living things are made up of cells.
Viruses meet criterian 1 and 2, but not 3 and 4. They are not made up of (a) cell(s), they only have a protein coat and genetic info, such as DNA or RNA. They also do not require energy to thrive. They survive by hijacking a cell, and in turn the infected cell reproduces and assembles more virus with its own energy. But a virus does have DNA/genetic info. and as far as I know obeys the laws of chemistry and physics. So it's 2:2-you could argue either way...Hope that helps! Peace out!
1)All living things obey the laws of chemistry and physics.
2)All living things use DNA.
3)All living things require energy.
4)All living things are made up of cells.
Viruses meet criterian 1 and 2, but not 3 and 4. They are not made up of (a) cell(s), they only have a protein coat and genetic info, such as DNA or RNA. They also do not require energy to thrive. They survive by hijacking a cell, and in turn the infected cell reproduces and assembles more virus with its own energy. But a virus does have DNA/genetic info. and as far as I know obeys the laws of chemistry and physics. So it's 2:2-you could argue either way...Hope that helps!
Peace out!Love Conquers All
my criteria for living things
1. They have the capacity to replicate themselves.
2. They have enzymes, and complex proteins essential for the chemical reactions needed for life.
3. Have a membrane that separates the cell from the environment and gives it a distinct chemical identity
With regards to viruses, they are unable to replicate themselves without
the aid of a host cell. Out side of the cell they are just inert particles. The only way in which they can replicate is to invade a cell, take over its replication machinery, and use it to produce more virus. In essence most viruses are just nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) surrounded by protein.
Some viruses to have their own enzymes but the enzyme itself is not active until the virus enters its host cell. Outside of the cell, they usually do not have a metabolism of their own.
With this in mind, scientists do not consider viruses to be living. They
are thought of as inert particles and only function and replicate with the
aid of a host cell.
1. They have the capacity to replicate themselves.
2. They have enzymes, and complex proteins essential for the chemical reactions needed for life.
3. Have a membrane that separates the cell from the environment and gives it a distinct chemical identity
With regards to viruses, they are unable to replicate themselves without
the aid of a host cell. Out side of the cell they are just inert particles. The only way in which they can replicate is to invade a cell, take over its replication machinery, and use it to produce more virus. In essence most viruses are just nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) surrounded by protein.
Some viruses to have their own enzymes but the enzyme itself is not active until the virus enters its host cell. Outside of the cell, they usually do not have a metabolism of their own.
With this in mind, scientists do not consider viruses to be living. They
are thought of as inert particles and only function and replicate with the
aid of a host cell.
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