Purchase Solution

Are Viruses Alive?

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Argue for or against the statement, "Viruses are alive." As before this is not an opinion question. State your position clearly: Yes, No or Don't Know and support your position with what you know about cells, living things and viruses.

The internal structure of many protists is much more complex than that of cells of multicellular organisms. Does this mean that the protist is engaged in more complex activities than the multicellular organism?

If not, why should the single celled protist be much more complicated?

It might be a good idea to think about the environment of a singled celled organism and compare that to the environment a cell is in as part of a multicellular organism.

Purchase this Solution
Solution Preview

Hi, welcome to Brainmass!

Viruses are simple, microscopic structures that are made up of a protein coat wrapped around a strand of genetic material of either DNA or RNA.
Are they alive? There is a tremendous debate on this question. It depends on how one would define life and how one would characterize living organisms.

First, let us discuss the characteristics of living organisms: Living organisms are built of cells. Living organims reproduce using DNA; they grow and develop, they obtain their energy from the environment; they sense the environment and respond to it; they show high levels of organization; and they evolve.

Using these characteristics as the basis for classifying viruses as alive ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Labor Comfort Measures

Do you know how to comfort someone in labor?

Human Anatomy- Reproductive System

Do you know your reproductive anatomy?

BioChemistry Basics

This Quiz will test your knowledge of the amino acids used in biological systems

The Heart

This quiz test the understanding of the heart and some of its parts. It is important to understand how the heart functions and what makes it function.

BIOLOGY

Basics in biology

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Viruses are not considered alive.

    495411 Viruses and Being Alive Please help answer the following question. Include references. Why are viruses not considered alive? In the explanation, include the criteria that must be met for something to be considered alive.

  • The Nature of Viruses - Are Viruses Alive?

    54696 The Nature of Viruses - Are Viruses Alive? Question: Are Viruses alive - is this a true statement? The internal structure of many protists is much more complex than that of cells of multi-cellular organisms.

  • Viruses Coat and Core

    3739 Viruses Coat and Core Fill in the blank: All viruses contain a coat of _______ and a core of _____. In very simple terms, viruses are parasites that are not technically alive or dead, but require a host in order to thrive and survive.

  • What is the definition of being alive?

    There are some things, like planets, stars, viruses and prions that have many of the characteristics of life, but are not alive. ... How is it that these (or something you've researched) come close to being alive, but are not?

  • The Biology of Viruses and Protists

    41421 Opinions vary regarding the biological nature of viruses and protists. How do viruses and protists fit into the scheme of living things? 1. Argue for or against the statement, "Viruses are alive." 2.

  • Explanations for Three Questions Related to Microbiology

    It is important to note that bacteria are 'alive' and undergo a variety of processes (ie. protein synthesis, cell wall synthesis) to allow the bacterium to live. On the other hand, viruses are not 'alive' and they enter cells by mainly endocytosis.

  • Meaning of life

    I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances with our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive."

  • Koch's Postulates and Infectious Diseases

    Most of the exceptions are viruses, because they aren't really "alive" and self-sustaining in the same way that bacteria are. 1.

  • Physical and chemical control of growth and viability

    Contrast this to HIV, which is a virus, and there are many differences with few similarities if HIV is considered alone without a host cell. To reiterate, HIV infects T-cells of the human body, hijacks its machinery and creates more viruses.

View More Related Solutions