Why don't viruses grow and why don't they experience homeostasis?
Thank you in advance!
Why don't viruses grow and why don't they experience homeostasis?
They are not alive. Viruses are not living. Therefore they cannot undergo those reactions which determine life eg. growth
Viruses don't grow or experience homeostasis because they lack the necessary cellular machinery to carry out these processes. Unlike living organisms, viruses are considered "obligate intracellular parasites," meaning they must infect a host cell to replicate and perform their functions.
To understand why viruses don't grow, we need to consider their structure and life cycle. Viruses consist of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid. Some viruses may also have an outer envelope derived from the host cell's membrane. However, they lack the essential components required for growth, such as organelles, metabolism, or the ability to synthesize proteins on their own.
When a virus infects a host cell, it injects its genetic material into the cell. This genetic material hijacks the cellular machinery of the host, forcing it to produce new virus particles instead of carrying out its normal functions. The host cells replicate the viral genetic material and produce viral proteins, which then assemble into new virus particles. These virus particles eventually leave the host cell and go on to infect other cells.
As for homeostasis, it is the ability of living organisms to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment. This requires regulating various physiological processes like temperature, pH, and nutrient levels. Since viruses lack the necessary cellular machinery and organelles, they are incapable of actively regulating their internal environment. They rely solely on the host cell for resources and environmental conditions.
In summary, viruses cannot grow or maintain homeostasis because they lack the cellular machinery and organelles required for these functions. They are entirely dependent on host cells to replicate and carry out their life cycle.