viruses are built dunng reproduction
Plants and animals react to the environment. All living things have ways of sensing the world around them and can respond to changes in their environment. Do viruses react? Viruses cannot move themselves, but there are some differences in opinion that viruses do react to changes in the environment
Remember, the virus's DNA or RNA can evolve over time, thereby increasing its chances for survival and adapting to the environment Like bacteria, they adapt through genetic mutations caused by rapid reproduction That is why it is so hard to cure viral diseases. Viruses keep changing their DNA and protein coat to further their "life form" and keep ahead of the game
What's Your Final Answer?
As humans, we like to classify things because it helps us understand the physical world Viruses must have a host cell to live and reproduce Outside of the host cell viruses are pieces of genetic molecules that can do nothing by themselves. Viruses are right on the border between living and nonliving Some biologists currently see the virus as a nonliving infectious particle Other bologists disagree and suggest they are alive because of what happens inside the host cell
Getting a definite answer if wuses are alive or not may never happen. But hey that's life.
Using this article:
1. Explain why some scientists believe that viruses are alive. Cite at least
3 examples from this article.
2. Explain why some scientists believe that viruses are not alive. Cite at least 3 examples from this article for each example.
3. Do you believe viruses are alive or not? Explain your opinion in complete sentences.
1. Some scientists believe that viruses are alive because they can evolve over time, just like living organisms. The article mentions that the DNA or RNA of viruses can evolve, increasing their chances for survival and adaptation to the environment. This implies a form of response and adaptation similar to other living organisms. Additionally, viruses adapt through genetic mutations caused by rapid reproduction, similar to bacteria. Lastly, the ability of viruses to change their DNA and protein coat in order to further their survival can be seen as a characteristic of a living organism.
2. On the other hand, some scientists believe that viruses are not alive because they cannot live or reproduce without a host cell. According to the article, viruses are described as pieces of genetic molecules that can do nothing by themselves outside of a host cell. This lack of independent life functions is a key argument for considering viruses as nonliving. Furthermore, the article mentions that viruses are right on the border between living and nonliving, implying that they may lack some essential characteristics of life. Lastly, the disagreement among biologists about the status of viruses as living or nonliving further supports the argument that viruses may not meet all the criteria to be considered alive.
3. In my opinion, viruses are not alive. While they possess some characteristics similar to living organisms, such as the ability to evolve and adapt, they depend entirely on a host cell for their survival and reproduction. Without a host, viruses cannot perform any life functions. Additionally, the fact that biologists are divided on whether viruses are living or nonliving suggests that viruses may not exhibit all the essential attributes of life. Therefore, considering viruses as nonliving entities aligns with the evidence presented in the article.