Why or Why not?
2007-04-11 10:40:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The tree of life is for living organisms. This includes pathogens that are alive.
2007-04-11 10:45:59 · answer #1 · answered by ecolink 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pathogens are part of the tree of life. It is just that they live off others. There are different types of pathogens. Some are called obligate pathogens and they need their host to live. Others are called facutative pathogens and they can live free of their host or if they find the host they will live off of them. One of my old boss's mentioned that pathogens are actually considered to be more advanced in evolution because of the adaptations that they have had to make to live off another life form.
2007-04-11 19:52:21 · answer #2 · answered by Bill G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bacteria pathogens are considered alive, because bacteria itself is considered alive, and is part of the five (or more because protists can be argued) kingdoms of life. Virus pathogens are not considered alive because scientists argue that a virus cannot live on it's own. It is a parasite, and they call it non living.
I think they should be living. I mean, some have the potential to kill millions of people. I think that is significant enough to give it the title of life.
2007-04-11 19:38:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋