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Some scientists think that viruses are not living organisms due to how simple they are. Viruses are usually nothing more than a strand of genetic coding with a protein coat. This makes them far more simpler than the simplest of organisms that use the standard cell structure which is rather complex.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoAll scientists say that they are not alive.
Viruses are not an organism at all. They are not alive. They are nonliving. They are like cockle burrs that "grab" hold of your clothing or a dog's coat. They are hijackers. Once they get attached to the cell of a living cell, they can take it over and "make" the living cell produce virus particles instead of cell parts. These particles can assemble into more viruses and then they break out of the cell (killing it) and begin the process again. They cannot make more viruses on their own.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoViruses are not an organism at all. They are not alive. They are nonliving. They are like cockle burrs that "grab" hold of your clothing or a dogs coat. They are hijackers. Once they get attached to the cell of a living cell, they can take it over and "make" the living cell produce virus particles instead of cell parts. These parts can assemble into more viruses and then they breakout of the cell (killing it) and begin the process again. They can not make more viruses on their own.
They are very small and can be considered ultramicroscopic. We have to use an electron microscope to see them as they are that small.
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Do all organisms have DNA?
Yes. DNA is the fundamental blueprint for all life on Earth.That depends on your definition of Life.Are viruses alive? Some say yes and some say no. Some viruses have DNA, and some only have RNA. So if you consider viruses a form of life, then some do not have DNA. RNA virus examples are SARS and Hepatitis. If you don't consider viruses alive, then yes, all forms of life (that we know of) higher than a virus contains some form of DNA. You can find out more at the link below.
Why do people sometimes say that viruses lack independent replication?
Viruses can not replicate without a living host cell. This is one reason that they are not considered to be alive.
If viruses are living and non living explain how?
Viruses are biological building blocks. They are not organisms. They are alive in the sense that they are organic material, but not in the sense that they are independent living things. Who says they are living? Most scientists do not say virus are living. They can't reproduce on their own, they can't use energy, they can't move on their own, They don't have cellular parts. They can't respond to stimulus. So... for the definition of a living organism, or being "alive" they aren't.
Why is a virus considered alive and a rock is not?
Very good question. Viruses are not considered alive by many (I might even go as far as to say most scientists wouldn't consider viruses alive, but I'd have to ask more of them first to be sure). Neither is a rock! Those that think viruses are alive are, as you have said, suggesting pretty much anything in the world can be considered alive. If a virus is alive, then by folding a piece of paper into a paper aeroplane I have created life. A paper plane alive? Absurd! Ridiculous really isn't it? Viruses aren't alive. They're just molecules that happen to react in a certain way to seem alive to anyone that hasn't studied a biological natural science for several years. But once you understand what happens on atomic and molecular scales, you realise they're not alive at all. No different from a molecule of glucose. It goes is, something is done to it, and it comes out. The only reason a Virus would be considered alive is because they are structured in such a way as to allow them to be reproduced, and contain proteins with the ability to influence the chemical machinery of cells in other living things.
Are unicorns alive today?
No, unicorns are mythical creatures that do not exist in real life. They are often depicted as horse-like animals with a single horn on their forehead.
How else can you say scientists say?
scientists believe or accordng to scientists
Is the megladon alive?
The Megladon is most likely extinct, but some people say it is still alive.
Does Planet Mercury have oxygen in the air?
some scientists say yes others no but most say no
What to eat instead of crisps?
CHOCOLATE Some Scientists say it is healthy
Is this virus considered a living organism?
Most scientists consider them to be special in that they don't all agree whether viruses are truly alive. They exhibit many of the qualities that define life, but they are unable to maintain their life on their own as far as metabolism is concerned. They actually "steal" a living cells metabolic processes. That's why some say that they are not actually alive. And if they are alive, they can be considered special in that they don't fit the usual description of a living organism.
Why do scientists say that magic is science that we don't understand yet?
Scientists say that magic is science that we don't understand yet because some people will claim something is simply magic but scientists believe there is an explanation for it that we are unaware of.
Are viruses motile?
No, viruses aren't even alive much less have flagellum.
