Are viruses alive or not? Explain your reasoning

What will be an ideal response?


Viruses are simply genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. They are able to make copies of themselves only with the help of a host cell. Viruses are not organized on a cellular level and have no metabolism, cytoplasm, or self-made membranes. They cannot synthesize organic molecules. Because they lack these and other characteristics of living organisms, they should not be considered alive.

Biology & Microbiology

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Which of the following antibiotics is (are) produced by actinoplanetes?

A. Nalidixic acid B. Gentamicin C. Penicillin D. Cycloserine

Biology & Microbiology

Organisms store energy as ____

a. starch only b. glycogen only c. fat only d. sugar e. starch, glycogen or fat

Biology & Microbiology

An example of mechanical isolation would be

a. flowers that bloom months apart. b. two organisms that are pollinated by different insects. c. two organisms that have different habitats. d. two organisms that have incompatible gametes. e. two organisms that have different mating rituals.

Biology & Microbiology

Which of the following is the correct pairing of rickettsial pathogen and vector?

A. R. rickettsia; flea B. R. typhi; tick C. R. prowazekii; louse D. R. typhi; mite E. R. rickettsia; louse

Biology & Microbiology