Are viruses generally considered living or nonliving? Explain

Question

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Answer 1

Textbook Question

Chapter 19, Problem 19.1CR

Are viruses generally considered living or nonliving? Explain

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

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.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Students have asked these similar questions

are viruses alive ?

Do viruses maintain homeostasis? is there evidence?

Explain one structural distinction between viruses and cells.

Answer 2

Textbook Question

Chapter 19, Problem 19.1CR

Are viruses generally considered living or nonliving? Explain

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

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.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 3

Textbook Question

Chapter 19, Problem 19.1CR

Are viruses generally considered living or nonliving? Explain

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

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.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 4

Textbook Question

Chapter 19, Problem 19.1CR

Are viruses generally considered living or nonliving? Explain

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

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.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 5

Textbook Question

Answer 6

Textbook Question

Answer 7

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

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.

Answer 8

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

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.

Answer 9

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 10

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 11

Summary Introduction

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.

Answer 12

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.

Answer 13

Ch. 19.1 - Prob. 1CC Ch. 19.1 - MAKE CONNECTIONS Bacteriophages were used to...Ch. 19.2 - Compare the effect on the host cell of a lytic...Ch. 19.2 - Prob. 2CC Ch. 19.2 - Why is HIV called a retrovirus?Ch. 19.2 - Prob. 4CC Ch. 19.3 - Describe two ways in which a preexisting virus can...Ch. 19.3 - Contrast horizontal and vertical transmission of...Ch. 19.3 - WHAT IF? TMV has been isolated from virtually all...Ch. 19 - Are viruses generally considered living or...

Are viruses generally considered living or nonliving? Explain

Concept explainers

Videos

Explanation of Solution

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Chapter 19 Solutions

Additional Science Textbook Solutions