Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Why some Scientists insist that Viruses should be treated as non-living things?

Because viruses do not exhibit all of the defining characteristics of life.



For example: scientists generally accept that living things have at least one cell, but viruses do not have any cells. Also, although viruses can reproduce which is a characteristic of living thing, they cannot reproduce without the help of a living thing. They can't survive without a host.



Some scientists classify viruses as living things, and others do not.



Why some Scientists insist that Viruses should be treated as non-living things?



because without a host they cannot infect. they cannot mutate.



Why some Scientists insist that Viruses should be treated as non-living things?antivirus downloads



A virus is a funny thing in terms of cataloging. It can replicate, which would place it in the category of living; however, it cannot replicate on its own - it needs a living host cell to replicate. This inability for self replication would place it in the non-living category. So, a virus is both alive and dead and neither alive and dead at the same time.

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