Campbell Biology (10th Edition)
Campbell Biology (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN: 9780321775658
Author: Jane B. Reece, Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minorsky, Robert B. Jackson
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 19, Problem 19.1CR

Are viruses generally considered living or nonliving? Explain

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
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
Overview of Transformation Protocol   -Prepare competent bacteria for transformation: Treat starter E. coli bacteria with CaCl2and Competent Cell Solution (CCS). Store on ice until transformation procedure. Competent cells are cells that are likely to take up foreign DNA and be transformed. This step increases the likelihood that the E. coli cells will take up the introduced vector and be transformed. -Transformation procedure: Obtain two microcentrifuge tubes containing your competent cells. Label one tube +DNA and one -DNA. Add CaCl2 to both tubes. Add the transformation mix containing the plasmid DNA to the tube labeled +DNA. Do not add any plasmid DNA to the -DNA tube. Incubate both tubes on ice for 10 minutes. Then, place both tubes in a 42\deg C water bath for 45 seconds. Replace the tubes in an ice bucket for 2 minutes. Add recovery broth to both tubes. Incubate both tubes in a 37 C water bath for 5 minutes.   Questions: 1)What is the selectable marker in this experiment? How…
Based on your results, which suspect's DNA best matches the DNA found at the crime scene?
In oxidase test with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the cell cultures on the slide turn colorless to be purple after tetra-methyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (TMPD) is added. In the reaction, OTMPD is electron acceptor O cytochrome c is the electron source oxygen is terminal electron acceptor OH2 produced is electron donor
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781259398629
Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
Text book image
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780815344322
Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781260159363
Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Text book image
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9781260231700
Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:McGraw Hill Education
What Is A Virus ? ; Author: Peekaboo Kidz;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS7vsBgWszI;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY