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Why is there a controversy about whether or not a virus is alive?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Because they use the same chemicals for their DNA (or RNA), and interact with unquestionably living organisms (through infection), they can evolve and mutate, but cannot reproduce by themselves.
So, they have some attribute of life, but are missing others.
It is as if we could cut someone's head, but keep it alive on a life support machine. Would the "head" still be a human being?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBecause Michael Savio (who lives at 20090 Sunshine Ln., Deer Park, IL) said so. By the way, he says dogs are cool.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoscientists aren't sure wether to call viruses living creatures because they are confused from the ultimate futimate ~kdmiof of jfjfhhjh!
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Does a virus need living space?
No. A virus needs only a host body to survive. This is the reason many scientists can't decide whether or not a virus should be considered 'alive.'
Which of these objects is are alive A protein molecule A cell A virus?
A cell is alive. A protein is definitely not alive. A virus - well, that depends on who you ask.
Do virus' have cell membrane?
Virus does not have a 'cell' membrane in the sense of a phospholipid bilayer, and virus is not commonly defined as a cellular organism by convention anyways (therefore the debate about whether a virus is alive). Most virus, however, do possess an outer protein coat that protects its genetic material.</
What kingdom is the common cold virus in?
It is a virus, therefore it isn't alive and can't be classified into one of the kingdoms. It's just a virus.
Is it true biologists do not consider viruses to be living things?
There is some debate on the issue of whether a virus is truly alive, or is instead just a kind of self-replicating poison. Purified virus can be prepared in the form of a crystal, that looks just like salt. A virus has absolutely no biological activity or metabolism unless it is inside a cell of some other organism. On its own it is an inert chemical. But then, viruses do reproduce, which seems to be a uniquely biological activity. So, it is a bit ambiguous. Personally I believe that viruses are not actually alive.
Does a virus need living space?
No. A virus needs only a host body to survive. This is the reason many scientists can't decide whether or not a virus should be considered 'alive.'
Is a virus a cell?
There is a lot of debate over whether a virus is truly alive; however, in general, a single virus is generally referred to as a particle rather than a cell.
Which of these objects is are alive A protein molecule A cell A virus?
A cell is alive. A protein is definitely not alive. A virus - well, that depends on who you ask.
Why is there is debate about the viruses being alive or dead?
The debate is not about whether viruses are alive or dead. Rather, there is debate about whether a virus should be considered a living thing. Viruses are not like living cells, because they do not have metabolic processes, and they cannot reproduce themselves. Instead, they invade a host cell, and the virus's genes cause the host cell to produce new viruses. However, the question of whether this "counts" as being alive is a semantic one. Viruses have some properties of living things, and they lack other properties, so the question of whether they are "alive" comes down to one's definition of the word "life."
Is HIV alive or dead?
It's a virus. It's alive.
Why isnt a virus alive?
A virus does not fulfill all requirements for life, eg. no reproduction through meiosis or mitosis
What controversy discusses whether development is more a function of biology or more a function of the environment?
The name of this controversy is Nurture Vs Nature.
Is virus an autotroph or hetrotroph?
Neither. A virus is not really alive in a traditional sense.
Do virus' have cell membrane?
Virus does not have a 'cell' membrane in the sense of a phospholipid bilayer, and virus is not commonly defined as a cellular organism by convention anyways (therefore the debate about whether a virus is alive). Most virus, however, do possess an outer protein coat that protects its genetic material.</
The controversy over the No Child Left Behind Act related to?
The controversy over the No Child Left Behind Act is related to whether it has worked or not
Can hiv virus be alive in mosquitos body?
No.
What is the difference between a pathogenic bacteria and a virus?
A pathogenic bacterium is alive while a virus is not.
