Description
Reply 1 :
1. Living “things” must maintain homeostasis
Are viruses made up of cells?
Are viruses able to monitor or create change in their internal environment?
No, Viruses are not cells since they are not capable of self-replication and are not
considered “living.” The capacity of viruses to replicate their genes, synthesize all of
their proteins, or replicate on their own is limited; as a result, they must parasitize the
cells of other life forms to do so2. Viruses infiltrate cells and subsequently take over the
cell’s mechanism to promote their reproduction. The newly generated viruses are later
released from the host cell and spread throughout the host body. Maintaining
homeostasis, which is balanced inside the body, is essential for all living organisms. Our
bodies produce sweat to keep us cool. Throughout the day, billions of changes are
made to keep our body temperature and chemicals in our body regulated within their
stable limits. Because viruses lack cellular organs and bodily fluids, they are unable to
govern their internal environment, and as a result, they cannot manage their
homeostasis1.
2. Living “things” have different levels of organization.
Do viruses have different levels of organization?
In contrast to living organisms, viruses lack the vast majority of the internal structure
and machinery that distinguishes them, including the biosynthetic machinery required
for reproduction. For a virus to reproduce, it must first infect a cell that is suited for
replication.” On the other hand, the virus has degrees of organization in that it has
genes comprised of nucleic acids and a protein coat known as a capsid built of smaller
protein units known as capsomeres.
3. Living “things” reproduce
Do viruses replicate or reproduce?
Yes, viruses do replicate, but they can’t multiply on their own; instead, they must rely on
the genome synthesis pathways of their host cell to reproduce successfully 7. This
usually happens due to the virus inserting its genetic material into host cells, capturing
and utilizing the host proteins to generate viral particles that self-assemble and
eventually cause the cell to burst due to the vast amount of new viral particles
synthesized during this process2.
4. Living “things” grow
Do viruses grow in size or complexity?
Because of their basic structure, viruses cannot move or multiply on their own without
the assistance of a susceptible host cell. However, once a virus has found a host, it can
grow and spread quickly. In order to infiltrate the host, viruses have evolved receptors
on their surfaces that are identical to those of their ideal target cell, allowing the virus to
enter the cell and hijack the host’s cellular machinery and multiply its genetic material
and proteins. This tiny machinery has prospered and grown in complexity alongside
their host species3.
5. Living “things” use energy
Do viruses use energy?
No, because to survive, viruses must take energy from the cells they infect. Because
viruses are too little and straightforward to manufacture, store, or utilize their power,
they steal it from their infected cells. Viral replication necessitates the expenditure of
energy only when the virus replicates itself, and while the virus is outside of a cell, it
requires no energy at all. In contrast to bacteria, viruses cannot create or store energy
in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and must instead get energy and all other
metabolic processes from the host cell1.
6. Living “things” respond to stimuli
Do viruses respond to external stimuli?
No, Viruses do not react to external stimuli; they do not grow, move toward, or away
from any external stimuli, and they do not have any specific receptor to receive external
stimuli.
7. Living “things” adapt to their environment
Do viruses adapt to their environment?
Yes, like any living creature, a virus changes over time can adapt to its environment. On
the other hand, Viruses are unable to use their genetic material on their own, and they
need the presence of a living host cell required to function and multiply; else, they act as
if they are lifeless. Although the virus and its host have evolved separately throughout
time, both have remained well suited to each other4.
In the bible, God says:
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise
you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows
it very well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in
your book were written, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none
of them (Psalm 139:13-16)5.
References
4. Simmonds P, Aiewsakun P, and Katzourakis. Prisoners of war ? host adaptation
and its constraints on virus evolution. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2019;17, 321?
328. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-018-0120-2
5. Engleberg, N. C., Dirita V., Dermoby, T. S. (2014). Schaechter’s mechanisms of
microbial disease ? with access (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams, &
Wilkins.
6. Keith D, Farnsworth. An organizational systems-biology view of viruses explains why
they are not alive. Biosystems, Volume
200. 2021;104324.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystems.2020.104324.
7. Gomez-Marquez J. What Is Life? Are Viruses Living Entities? 2020;2020080661.
doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0661.v1.
8. Joshua M. Moritz. Are Viruses Evil? Theology and Science. 2020;18:4,564-578.
doi.10.1080/14746700.2020.1825191
9. The Holy Bible. King James Version, Cambridge. 2020.
10. McClintock, Thomas. 2021. Module 1:Liberty University Video: General
Characteristics and Properties of Viruses.
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/192468/pages/watch-general-characteristics-andproperties-of-viruses?module_item_id=23064345
Reply 2:
Are Viruses Alive?
The debate on whether viruses are living or non-living has existed in scientific research
for a long time. This answer to this debate is based on the definition of the state of being
alive or life. In most instances, scientists describe life based on the ability to adapt to the
environment, respond to stimuli, use energy, grow, reproduce, have different levels of
organization, and maintain homeostasis.1 The argument of whether viruses are alive is
based on comparing the properties of viruses and these seven major characteristics of
living things.
Homeostasis is an important property of living things as it enables them to maintain the
stable chemical, physical, and internal conditions.3 Viruses do not have cells; therefore,
they cannot change or monitor changes in their internal environment; this aspect
disqualifies viruses from being living things.
Viruses lack different organization levels, including organs, organ systems, tissues, and
cells. Its genetic material is protected by a protein coat.3 Viruses also lack cell
membranes and organelles that are present in all living things. Therefore, the
organization levels differentiates viruses from living things.
Although they do not have the necessary tools such as nuclei and organelles to
reproduce like living things, they depend on their hosts to replicate. They achieve this by
inserting their genetic material into the host?s cell. As a result, the cell replicates the
virus DNA, thus aiding in its reproduction. In Genesis 1:28, God tells all living things to
multiply and be fruitful, thus indicating that living things should reproduce. 2 Therefore,
since viruses have their way of replicating, they meet God?s perspective of living
things.
Unlike living things that grow, viruses do not grow. Instead, they influence the host cell
to create new viruses outside it. While outside the cell, the virus does not increase in
size or complexity. Other living things, such as animals, grow in size and complexity.
Therefore, this property also distinguishes viruses from living things.
Viruses are too simple and small to use or collect their energy. Therefore, they steal it
from their host cell. They use energy only when making their copies and are active only
when in contact with the host cells. Living things make and use their energy through
their mitochondria, such as plants and animals. However, some bacteria depend on
their hosts for energy; therefore, this property does not completely distinguish viruses
from living things.
Although they do not respond to stimuli, viruses may initiate this action to several
biological stimuli, including proteases, redox, and pH. 3 This response allows for modified
intracellular trafficking and more stability. This aspect of viruses makes them qualify to
be living things.
Viruses adapt to the environment, which is similar to that of living things. They achieve
this adaptation through continuously changing into diverse phases using the host
cell.4 Once changed, viruses proceed to infect other cells, thus replicating. A virus
interacts with the cell it has infected.
By comparing viruses and living things based on the seven main characteristics of living
things, it is unclear whether viruses are alive. Although they qualify in some of the
characteristics, such as responding to stimuli and adapting to the environment, they still
fail in aspects such as possessing levels of organization and homeostasis. Therefore,
based on the outcomes of this scientific criterion of determining whether viruses are
alive or not, the answer is unclear as it depicts the characteristics of both living and nonliving things.
Reference
1. Arizona State University. Are viruses alive? Arizona State University
website. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/questions/are-viruses-alive
2. The Holy Bible. Genesis 1: 28
3. Brun, M.J., Gomez, E.J. and Suh, J. Stimulus-responsive viral vectors for controlled
delivery of therapeutics. Journal of Controlled Release, 2017; 267;80-89.
doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.08.021
4. Koonin, E.V. and Starokadomskyy, P., 2016. Are viruses alive? The replicator
paradigm sheds decisive light on an old but misguided question. Studies in history
and philosophy of science part C: Studies in history and philosophy of biological and
biomedical sciences, 2016; 59; 125-134. doi:10.1016/j.shpsc.2016.02.016
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
