If a virus is not life form... what is it?

Question

Question for all those that think of viruses not as life ... If it's not a life form ... what is it then?

A vague memory .. though viruses only had RNA and no DNA?

Answer 1

The idea of viruses not being alive is quite complicated. Many who believe this to be the case say it is because viruses don't have DNA (but they do have RNA - like all other living organisms); some say they are not living because they don't really do anything until they have a host organism which they rely on (a vector).

One of the main arguments to say that they are alive is that they can reproduce themselves, although any computer programmer will tell you that programs can do that too.

Like so many things in this world - when you look hard enough, you discover that nothing is clear cut. Science tries to be black and white/right and wrong, but the world isn't like that!!

If it's not a life-form, it's probably 'proto-life'

Answer 2

A virus is not a life form in the fact that it is ametabolic! It can only replicate within another organism. It just consists of a protein coat with a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) inside.

Answer 3

You could possibly think of a virus as a potentially infectious
DNA or RNA unit enclosed in protein. To realise its potential
it seeks to gain access to the host cell nucleus where its DNA or RNA may safely operate under topological law since the host membranes operate under that law. I would say that if it's under topological law it's a life form with epidemics to prove this. Outside topological law it's a latent life form, perhaps.

Answer 4

A lifeless particle formed by either strands of DNA or RNA, ( a virus may contain either, but never both) without life...they are inert chemical compounds that become active if they infect and enter a living cell, taking advantage of its energy, like ATP and its DNA or RNA enzymes (polymerases).,....and free nucleic basis to make their own (like stealing basic building bricks sort of speak)......
No one knows where they came from....or why....
They are parasitic organized particles...and do not fall in the definition of "alive"....believe it or not (
Even if Ripley doubts it,,,its true)

Answer 5

No a working laptop or malicious application isn't a existence sort. I completely agree which contain your anology yet pc viruses so no longer truly shelter themself and that they do no longer truly multiply interior the way a lifeform could. pc viruses do no longer evolve on their own they decide on the programmer/author to code the evolution into the virus therefor they do no longer look to be alive they are basically doing what they have been programmed to do

Answer 6

typically to be living an organism must have basic characteristics like able to reproduce, grow and develop, obtain and use energy, made of cells, and respond to stimuli. A virus can't do any of the first 3 characteristics i named without a host.

Answer 7

a virus is a creature which is on the borderline of life and death. it has rna or dna alongwith protein but does not perform life functions when it is not in a host.

when it enters a host, it starts life processes like metabolism and reproduction. they multiply rapidly and cause harmful diseases

Answer 8

Viruses can't be generalized as either living or nonliving. They are boundaries of such. They can be considered life forms since they are able to reproduce their kind (that is, with the assistance of a host). However, they cannot be considered as full life forms since they cannot perform basic life operations such as metabolism. Hence, we can't actually say if they are life forms are not.

Answer 9

It has both the properties of a living and a non living form. It is living inside a host cell and replicates itself activly but when outside the host cell, it is inactive and acts like a non living particle of proteins with genetic material in it.

Answer 10

a simplified life form as the RNA is replica table and the virus exhibits some form s of life but not others