Concept explainers
Are viruses generally considered living or nonliving? Explain
To determine: Whether viruses are considered as living or nonliving organisms.
Introduction: Viruses are small, microscopic organisms that are pathogenic to both prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryotes (animals, plants, and humans). They have a diameter ranging from 20nm to 300nm and also exhibit various shapes and structures. Viruses are intracellular parasites that are made of genetic material DNA or RNA. The genetic material is surrounded by a protein coat known as a capsid. A parasite is an organism that lives in a host, gets all the benefits from the host, and causes harm to it.
Explanation of Solution
A living being is made up of cells that exhibit characteristics like growth, movement, and reproduction. A nonliving thing does not show any such characteristics.
Viruses are considered as nonliving for the following reasons:
- Viruses are parasites that do not have cells or organelles but depend on host organelles for its processes.
- They cannot grow or develop on their own.
- They can only reproduce inside a host living cell.
- They do not respond to any external stimuli.
- Viruses neither have their own metabolism nor produce energy.
- Viruses are not killed by antibiotics, unlike bacteria.
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