Viruses are not derived from preexisting cells, and thus oppose the Cell Theory, and are not cells; they are simply a cluster of protein and genetic material. An organism is defined as "consisting of monomeric units known as cells". If viruses are not made up of one or more cells, they obviously cannot be considered as an organism, if they are not organisms, how can they share the same system of classification as all other organisms on Earth (specifically speaking: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species)? There is also a dispute going over whether viruses are alive or not (since they cannot metabolize and reproduce independently).
I have browsed through many sites on any hint on which Domain viruses are classified under, but all they tell me is the families and genus of some viruses.
Which Domain do viruses belong to?
2007-01-11
22:59:19
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3 answers
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asked by
josiahitsgoodtohavesomeself-ctrl
2
in
Biology