Are Viruses Alive Research Paper
Are Viruses Alive?
For years, scientists debated whether or not viruses are living organisms. The most confusing thing about viruses is that they display characteristics of both living and nonliving beings (Lourerio, 2006). Even after years of research and argument, we have not come to a final conclusion to this mind boggling question: Are viruses alive? Viruses are miniscule parasites that spread infection through all species of living things, plants and animals. Parasites are completely dependent on other living organisms (Miller & Levine, 2008). A virus is made up of a DNA or an RNA molecule, a protein outer coating, known as a capsid, that gives the virus protection and the ability to transfer it’s genetic material into cells (Lourerio, 2006). Viruses are insanely small, about a thousand times smaller than bacteria (Apex Learning, 2007). They spread by reproducing, but in a very unique way. The capsid has pointy contraptions that allow the virus to attack a host cell. A host cell can be any cell, plant or animal. After the virus has attached to the cell, it releases its DNA or RNA into the host cell (Apex Learning, 2007). The virus’s genetic material forces the host cell …show more content…
It is true that viruses can reproduce and mutate (adapt to the environment) while the genetic material is residing in a host cell, but without a cell to infect and produce more viruses, the virus themselves do nothing. Some scientists also believe that because virus parts are made and put together in the host cell, that is a form of growth, another criteria for life (Apex Learning, 2007). Once again, that is only something that can be done in the host cell. Outside of the host cell, the virus simply exists. It has no activity within the capsid, therefore it is not growing, metabolising, reproducing, or mutating on its own. (Apex
For years, scientists debated whether or not viruses are living organisms. The most confusing thing about viruses is that they display characteristics of both living and nonliving beings (Lourerio, 2006). Even after years of research and argument, we have not come to a final conclusion to this mind boggling question: Are viruses alive? Viruses are miniscule parasites that spread infection through all species of living things, plants and animals. Parasites are completely dependent on other living organisms (Miller & Levine, 2008). A virus is made up of a DNA or an RNA molecule, a protein outer coating, known as a capsid, that gives the virus protection and the ability to transfer it’s genetic material into cells (Lourerio, 2006). Viruses are insanely small, about a thousand times smaller than bacteria (Apex Learning, 2007). They spread by reproducing, but in a very unique way. The capsid has pointy contraptions that allow the virus to attack a host cell. A host cell can be any cell, plant or animal. After the virus has attached to the cell, it releases its DNA or RNA into the host cell (Apex Learning, 2007). The virus’s genetic material forces the host cell …show more content…
It is true that viruses can reproduce and mutate (adapt to the environment) while the genetic material is residing in a host cell, but without a cell to infect and produce more viruses, the virus themselves do nothing. Some scientists also believe that because virus parts are made and put together in the host cell, that is a form of growth, another criteria for life (Apex Learning, 2007). Once again, that is only something that can be done in the host cell. Outside of the host cell, the virus simply exists. It has no activity within the capsid, therefore it is not growing, metabolising, reproducing, or mutating on its own. (Apex