definition of life:
A self sustained chemical system capable of self reproduction and evolution
2007-05-09 14:09:42 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
No.
Viruses can replicate themselves only by infecting a host cell. They therefore cannot reproduce on their own.
2007-05-09 14:16:44 · answer #1 · answered by Vytheeshwaran V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By your definition they would be alive. Most scientist do not consider them living. They are rather likely just parts of a cell's reproductive machinery that went a little haywire. They are usually little more than the DNA needed to make DNA replicating enzymes and other proteins coded in the DNA that give them structure and a means to infect living cells.
2007-05-09 14:20:45 · answer #2 · answered by bravozulu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm no expert, but it seems to me as though viruses could be the connection between what is life and what is not life.
Viruses are not capable of self reproduction on their own, but they are able to infect a host to do the job for them. They are certainly capable of evolution since we are always hearing about "emerging" (which really means evolving) viruses that change to reinfect people or other organisms that developed an immunity to their original form.
2007-05-09 14:27:28 · answer #3 · answered by Joan H 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I keep in mind discussing this in college Biology class. Viruses show lots of the features many times linked with existence yet not all of them. They reproduce (or extra aptly reflect), they are made up of DNA, and that they evolve. on the different hand, they don't flow and that they have got not have been given any metabolism. So that's style of like they are in between being alive and not alive.
2016-10-15 05:58:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because viruses require host cells to reproduce
2007-05-09 14:14:47 · answer #5 · answered by Michelle♥ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO. our ap bio book specificially says they are not considered alive. they are obligate parasites however
2007-05-09 14:15:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not relay
2007-05-09 14:15:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, i think it is considered alive.
2007-05-09 14:13:03 · answer #8 · answered by A & C! 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋