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Scientists debate whether viruses are alive because they lack the characteristics of traditional living organisms, such as the ability to reproduce on their own. Viruses depend on host cells to replicate and lack cellular structures that define life. Some argue that viruses are on the edge of life, while others consider them more as biological entities.
What else can I help you with?
Why do scientists consider viruses to be non living?
Because they can not reproduce on their own.
Why does scientist that think virus is not alive think that?
Scientists who do not consider viruses to be alive argue that they lack the ability to replicate on their own and do not perform essential metabolic processes without a host cell. While they can evolve and adapt like living organisms, they depend entirely on host cells for survival and reproduction. This leads some scientists to view viruses as complex biological particles rather than living organisms.
What kingdom are viruses classified in?
Viruses do not belong to any kingdom. There is an ongoing debate to whether viruses are alive or not. With the facts given, it is up to you to decide if viruses are alive or not. All Living things: -are composed of cells with a complex, organized structure -actively maintain their complex structure and internal environment (homeostasis) -respond to stimuli in their environment -acquire and use materials and energy from their environment and convert them into new forms -reproduce, using the molecular blueprint of DNA -have the capacity to evolve Viruses: -are not made of cells and do not have cells -cannot accomplish the basic tasks of living cells -have no ribosomes to make protein -have no cytoplasm -cannot acquire energy or steal the host's energy -cannot grow or reproduce by themselves or with other viruses -do not respond to stimuli -cannot maintain a stable internal environment -can evolve
Who study viruses?
Viruses have the ability to greatly affect life on earth. Many viruses, such as HIV and influenza have killed millions of people. By studying viruses, scientists are able to develop vaccines that will protect people (and animals) from viruses.
Why are viruses is considered to be non living?
They are not dead or alive, although there is an ongoing debate to whether viruses are alive or not.A virus (from the Latin virus meaning toxin or poison) is a microscopic infectious agent that can reproduce only inside a host cell. It is able to mutate, because of the difference in the DNA of the host. Your body can create antibodies of a virus or with a vaccination, a dormant virus can be inserted into your body, and your body will create antibodies of the dormant virus. Although, there is an ongoing debate to whether viruses are alive or not. With the facts given, it is up to you to decide if viruses are alive or not. All Living things:-are composed of cells with a complex, organized structure-actively maintain their complex structure and internal environment (homeostasis)-respond to stimuli in their environment-acquire and use materials and energy from their environment and convert them into new forms-reproduce, using the molecular blueprint of DNA-have the capacity to evolveViruses:-are not made of cells and do not have cells-cannot accomplish the basic tasks of living cells-have no ribosomes to make protein-have no cytoplasm-cannot acquire energy or steal the host's energy-cannot grow or reproduce by themselves or with other viruses-do not respond to stimuli-cannot maintain a stable internal environment-can evolve
Is rabies a microorganism?
That is a matter of debate. Rabies is caused by a virus. While the general consensus of scientists is that viruses are not alive, there is some debate about it.
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."
Do chipmunks have DNA?
Yes. Except for a some viruses (which you can debate about whether they're truly alive) all life on earth contains DNA.
Why do viruses consider to be non living?
They don't, for the most part, that is. Scientists argue over whether or not viruses are alive because some believe that they have all the qualities you need to be considered alive, which are.... * They reproduce * They obtain and use energy * They grow and develop * They respond to the environment The only thing that is different is that they cannot use their genetic material on their own. They need a host, a cell, to reproduce. So therefore, scientists continue to argue on whether viruses are alive, or not. :D
Are viruses and bacteria alive?
bacteria is but for viruses some scientists believe they are alive and others think they dont so i can't give you an answer to that
Do all scientists believe viruses are alive?
Certainly not. It is a hotly debated subject. Viruses (and prions for that matter) are not alive in a conventional sense.
What are small functioning units that all living things made up of called?
Most living things are made of cells. Viruses are not, but there is some debate about whether they are really alive.
Why do scientists consider viruses to be non living?
Because they can not reproduce on their own.
Why don't scientists use binomial nomenclature to name viruses?
Biologists don't use binomial nomenclature to name viruses because binomial nomenclature is reserved for living things. Viruses are not considers alive.
Is bacteriophage alive?
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, and they can only replicate inside a host bacterial cell. While there is debate about whether viruses are classified as living organisms, bacteriophages themselves are considered non-living entities because they cannot reproduce or carry out metabolic processes on their own.
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.
Why don't most scientist consider viruses to be alive?
Most scientists consider viruses as the link between living an non living organisms. Viruses are considered non-living by some scientists because - 1) They donot perform any metabolic activities. 2) Outside the host cell , viruses are present only in crystalised form. (Even after it is un-crystalised , it does not lose it's capacity for infection) 3) It does not require any sort of "food".
