arent viruses just a random collection of elements that are reproduced by cells when they accidentally achieve the correct shape & composition to trigger the reproductive mechanisim of the cell which then manufactures them along with a bit of the cells own dna. if so should'nt viruses be classified as a defect in the cellular reproductive system instead of as a living organisim?
2007-07-26 15:55:01 · 10 answers · asked by Who Dat ? 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Well your question is completely wrong i'm afraid. Viruses are NOT alive. I dont know who told you this but they are wrong. And no they are not a random collection of elements, they are specifically made to be that shape by the DNA or RNA which encodes them in conjunction with their ability to hijack cell machinery and everything gets put together by the cell and virally encoded enzymes. Viruses can be considered an evolutionary molecule which has acquired components from lots of different cells - perhaps their origin.
2007-07-26 16:04:53 · answer #1 · answered by silverfox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Viruses are—non-living—microscopic particles that attack healthy cells within living things. They do not have the characteristics of living things, and are not able to metabolize food. To metabolize means to change food energy into chemical energy that the body can use.
Viruses are—not—alive, so they do not have a need for food like living oganisms. Viruses do not have an organized cell structure. They are so light that they can float in the air or water, be passed on to other organisims if touched, and fit anywhere. The virus injects its own DNA structure into healthy cells where new virus cells grow.
2007-07-26 23:05:39 · answer #2 · answered by Einstein 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody except for people who don't know biology would say viruses are alive. They are not living organisms at all. They are not random or defects either. They are actual entities. They are simply a fragment of DNA or RNA wrapped in a membrane carrier. The carrier injects the DNA or RNA into a host cell who photocopies the virus' DNA or RNA along with its own DNA. You are not thinking of a prion either. Prion also are not alive. Viruses are nucleic acids. Prions are proteins that mutate any protein they encounter into new prions.
2007-07-27 14:27:16 · answer #3 · answered by akfortysheep 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Viruses are on the biological edge between alive and not. They share many characteristics with living organisms after they find a host.
To respond to eric's post: dead organisms have cells and definitely aren't alive, just having cells isn't the cut off between alive and not
2007-07-27 00:27:33 · answer #4 · answered by Ryan W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. They are not 'responsive' so alive is not the right description, any more than a poison is alive. The can have DNA or RNA but cannot reproduce without a host cell. I guess they are right on the edge, eh?
2007-07-26 23:00:53 · answer #5 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm no expert on viruses, but I do know there is no simple definition of life. Mules don't reproduce. Does that mean they are not alive? Just an example of difficulties with simple definitions.
2007-07-26 23:01:47 · answer #6 · answered by anobium625 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the ways we define life is having the ability to reproduce cellularly. Viruses cannot do mitosis, so they are not alive.
2007-07-27 00:32:32 · answer #7 · answered by Dr. Cancer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They aren't in any Kingdom defined in biology, so they aren't considered alive by many scientists. It's hard to draw the line.
2007-07-26 23:05:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Virus' reproduce, they just need a host to do it.
You maybe are thinking of Prions, the agent that causes "Mad Cow" Disease.
2007-07-26 22:59:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have cells, which makes them living organisms.
2007-07-26 23:35:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋