41. A group calling itself "Virus Alive!" believes that viruses are living organisms. They have petitioned the scientific community to include viruses in the biological classification system. You are a scientist assigned to explain to this group that, although they share many characteristics of living organisms, viruses are NOT alive. You are instructed to be considerate of the group's position and discuss the characteristics of living organisims that are similar to the characteristics of viruses. However, you must then make the case that these similarities do not make a virus a living organism. Write your speech to "Virus Alive!" in two to three well-developed paragraphs.
The characteristics of living organisms are: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion and nutrition. Viruses such as HIV are clearly capable of movement within the blood stream. Cancer provides a great example of how a virus can reproduce within a host. Viruses grow by within the host's cells, where they gain their nutrition and consequently excrete. Virus sensitivity refers to how resistant viruses are to drugs or treatements, or alternatively put how likely they are to be destroyed by treatement. As such viruses appear to possess all the characteristics of living beings.
However, Viruses do not have a cellular structure, and can only exist for any considerable period of time within a host. Viruses do not have their own metabolism, for which again they are dependent upon a host, and they need a host cell to make new products, so they can't reproduce outside a host cell. When reproduction is specified as a characteristic of life we refer to cell division. Given a viruses inability to perform several characteristics of life independently of a host I conclude that a virus is not a living organism.
-MC
It is fine,however....
Your argument is based on your premise and definition of the characteristics of living organisms. Not all will agree with those.
Take humans for example: Is a man not a living thing because he himself cannot reproduce...it takes a host female.
Is a man not a living thing because he cannot digest food without bacteria flora in his intestine?
I am nitpicking, but you ought to realize ones conclusions are oft dependent on ones premises.
Consider the invasion of Iraq: Was it a good thing, or bad thing. Well, it depends on the premises, and perhaps some crystal ball predictions on each alternative.
So in your short paragraph, you did answer the prompt, but in real life, one has to critically examine ones own beliefs when doing analysis. Often, we ourselves get in the way of our own thinking.
Good work.
I'm gonna change my words up a bit because of what you said; Thanks!
-MC
Your argument is not compelling and I'm not convinced.
Tell me WHY a virus isn't living. This isn't the place to waffle!
Dear members of "Virus Alive!,"
I would like to begin by acknowledging your belief that viruses are living organisms and your petition to include them in the biological classification system. I understand that viruses possess many characteristics that are similar to those of living organisms, such as movement, reproduction, growth, excretion, sensitivity, and nutrition. However, despite these similarities, I must make the case that viruses are not considered to be alive.
Let's consider the characteristics of living organisms in more detail. Movement is often associated with the ability to actively transport oneself from one place to another. While viruses can move within their host organisms, they do not possess the capability for autonomous movement.
Reproduction is another characteristic of living organisms. While it is true that viruses can replicate within their host cells, they are unable to reproduce outside of a host cell. Reproduction in living organisms typically involves cell division and the creation of genetically similar offspring.
Additionally, living organisms rely on their own metabolism to carry out essential biological processes, such as respiration, growth, excretion, and obtaining nutrition. Viruses, on the other hand, do not possess their own metabolism and are entirely dependent on a host cell to fulfill these functions.
Furthermore, living organisms have a distinct cellular structure, which is essential for their survival and functioning. Viruses lack this fundamental cellular organization, as they are simply composed of genetic material (DNA or RNA) encased in a protein shell.
Based on these factors, it is evident that viruses require a host organism to perform the essential characteristics of life. Without a host, viruses are incapable of carrying out their reproductive and metabolic functions independently. Therefore, despite their remarkable attributes and similarities to living organisms, viruses do not meet the criteria to be classified as alive.
I hope this explanation clarifies why viruses are not considered living organisms in the scientific community. While your perspective is appreciated, it is crucial to differentiate between the characteristics of living organisms and those of viruses.