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Compare and contrast the traits of viruses and bacteria. Is a virus considered a living thing? Explain your answer in 3–5 sentences.(4 points)

Viruses and bacteria are both microscopic organisms, but they have significant differences in their characteristics. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can be found in a variety of environments, whereas viruses are much smaller and can only replicate inside living cells. Bacteria have their own cellular machinery and can carry out metabolic processes like reproduction and growth, while viruses are essentially packets of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat.

Whether viruses are considered living things is a matter of debate among scientists. Although they can reproduce and evolve, they lack many essential characteristics of life, such as the ability to carry out metabolic processes independently. They can only replicate inside a host cell and do not display characteristics like growth or homeostasis. Therefore, viruses are generally not considered living organisms, but rather complex biological structures.

Under the right circumstances, the lysogenic cycle changes to the lytic cycle. Explain whether the lytic cycle can change to the lysogenic cycle. Explain your answer in 3–5 sentences.(4 points)

No, the lytic cycle cannot change to the lysogenic cycle. In the lytic cycle, a virus infects a host cell, replicates its genetic material, produces new viral particles, and eventually causes the host cell to burst, releasing the newly formed viruses. This cycle does not involve the integration of the viral genome into the host cell's DNA. On the other hand, the lysogenic cycle occurs when the viral genetic material becomes integrated into the host cell's DNA and remains dormant. While a virus in the lysogenic cycle can enter the lytic cycle under certain conditions, the lytic cycle itself cannot reverse and transform into the lysogenic cycle.

In 3-5 sentences, describe the human respiratory system and its functions.(4 points)

The human respiratory system is responsible for exchanging gases with the environment, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide. It consists of the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Air is inhaled through the nose or mouth, passes through the pharynx and larynx, and then enters the trachea. The trachea branches into bronchi, which further divide into smaller bronchioles that lead to tiny air sacs called alveoli in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. Finally, carbon dioxide is expelled from the body through exhalation.

The circulatory and respiratory systems work together to perform a very important job. In three to five sentences, construct a summary of how they interact.

The circulatory and respiratory systems work closely together to ensure the delivery of oxygen to cells and the removal of carbon dioxide from the body. The respiratory system provides oxygen to the bloodstream by inhaling oxygen-rich air and releasing carbon dioxide through exhaling. The circulatory system then transports oxygenated blood from the lungs to the body's tissues and organs. Simultaneously, it picks up carbon dioxide waste produced by cells and carries it back to the lungs, where it is expelled during exhalation. This continuous cycle of gas exchange and transportation allows for the efficient supply of oxygen and removal of waste, supporting overall cellular metabolism and maintaining homeostasis.