Poll: Viruses...

[ThreeWords]

I was arguing with a friend about this, and we could not decide whether viruses are technically alive or not. What do the wise denizens of the Escapist think?

To clarify: we're talking biology, not computers

 

[Radeonx]

I believe that viruses are, because they are similar to bacteria. I am not sure, but I think they are.

 

[Froobyx]

It's gotta be able to infect somehow, how would it manage to do what it's supposed to if it wasn't alive.

Aren't dead viruses used for making vaccinations.. Or is that dead white blood cells?

 

[messy]

No, one of the criteria of a living thing is it's ability to reproduce. Virus' can only do this using another cell so at the very least are dead outside cells.

Also there charecteristcs are rapidly different from ever other cell on the planet, which is why some scientist theorise they come from outer space (not sure how concrete that theory is my Biology teacher brought it up)

 

[Kuchinawa212]

I think they are.
Or at least I thought they were. Now you are making me doubt myself.

 

[JRCB]

I'd say no. They squirm around the computers of the world with really only one purpose: to make peoples lives miserable. Also, since they cannot experience, they are not alive.

EDIT: Wait, are we talking about computer viruses or real viruses? I'm talking about the computer kind.

 

[XJ-0461]

I though scientists considered them to be "half alive" or something. Hmmm... Google shall have the answers!

EDIT: I copy this from Wikipedia:
Generally, viruses are not regarded as living organisms as they are unable to survive on their own.

This is from here-> http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/yellowstone/viruslive.html :
"Viruses exist in two distinct states. When not in contact with a host cell, the virus remains entirely dormant. During this time there are no internal biological activities occurring within the virus, and in essence the virus is no more than a static organic particle. In this simple, clearly non-living state viruses are referred to as 'virions'. Virions can remain in this dormant state for extended periods of time, waiting patiently to come into contact with the appropriate host. When the virion comes into contact with the appropriate host, it becomes active and is then referred to as a virus. It now displays properties typified by living organisms, such as reacting to its environment and directing its efforts toward self-replication"

 

[The Shrubbery Demander]

According to my biology teacher, they are noncellular life.

 

[Destal]

Computer virus's no...

Regular virus's that is a much much more complicated answer. Technically a virus is a string of proteins that has no self awareness, which by most definitions would mean it is not alive. However that string of protein has the unique ability to reproduce itself. Because it is either DNA or RNA the only way for it to "live" is to infect a host cell where it works itself into that cells DNA or RNA and makes the cell reproduce more of itself. There is no possible way for a virus to live outside of a cell, it has no means of feeding or reproducing itself.

That was my really short answer on virus's...I found microbiology to be really interesting.

 

[Destal]

It's gotta be able to infect somehow, how would it manage to do what it's supposed to if it wasn't alive.

Aren't dead viruses used for making vaccinations.. Or is that dead white blood cells?

It's not a dead virus it's a virus that has had it's DNA or RNA altered so it isn't harmful but is still close enough for the body to build its defenses against it.

 

[messy]

I believe that viruses are, because they are similar to bacteria. I am not sure, but I think they are.

Nothing like bacteria, virus' are smaller enough and several (and by several I mean the most common "species on the planet, I say "species" due to the whole them being death thing) known as bacteriaphages which infect bacteria.

It's gotta be able to infect somehow, how would it manage to do what it's supposed to if it wasn't alive.

Aren't dead viruses used for making vaccinations.. Or is that dead white blood cells?

Dead bacteria are used for vaccinations normally and it's dead or weakened or just the surface proteins used by the body to recognise it , it's normally difficult to vaccinate against virus' because they mutate so rapidly

 

[Destal]

I believe that viruses are, because they are similar to bacteria. I am not sure, but I think they are.

Nothing like bacteria, virus' are smaller enough and several (and by several I mean the most common "species on the planet, I say "species" due to the whole them being death thing) known as bacteriaphages which infect bacteria.

It's gotta be able to infect somehow, how would it manage to do what it's supposed to if it wasn't alive.

Aren't dead viruses used for making vaccinations.. Or is that dead white blood cells?

Dead bacteria are used for vaccinations normally and it's dead or weakened or just the surface proteins used by the body to recognise it , it's normally difficult to vaccinate against virus' because they mutate so rapidly

It's been done plenty of times though, we have a vaccine for Chickenpox for example.

 

[El Poncho]

I'm guessing it is because it's a single cell'd organism .

 

[Seydaman]

they are an organism, and have a "brain" or genetic material really, and they are classified as living because they meet the characteristics of a living thing

 

[messy]

I believe that viruses are, because they are similar to bacteria. I am not sure, but I think they are.

Nothing like bacteria, virus' are smaller enough and several (and by several I mean the most common "species on the planet, I say "species" due to the whole them being death thing) known as bacteriaphages which infect bacteria.

It's gotta be able to infect somehow, how would it manage to do what it's supposed to if it wasn't alive.

Aren't dead viruses used for making vaccinations.. Or is that dead white blood cells?

Dead bacteria are used for vaccinations normally and it's dead or weakened or just the surface proteins used by the body to recognise it , it's normally difficult to vaccinate against virus' because they mutate so rapidly

It's been done plenty of times though, we have a vaccine for Chickenpox for example.

Didn't say impossible. Do you mean small pox, because I swear there's no cure for chickenpox which is why you try to get children to get it so they build up immunity. Small pox was easy to eradicate because there was one strain, visible symptoms, don't spread overly fast and the vaccination could be freeze dried and used in warmer climates.

 

[Evilbunny]

Aren't they not technically alive unless they're in a host? I'm not sure, it's been years since biology.

 

[Skeleon]

Kind of.
The definition of what constitutes as life is still not complete.
Scientists still argue about it. So far, there is no completely true answer.

No, one of the criteria of a living thing is it's ability to reproduce. Virus' can only do this using another cell so at the very least are dead outside cells.

This is also true for some bacteria, like Chlamydia.
The transition is fluid, which is why drawing a line is so difficult.

Technically a virus is a string of proteins that has no self awareness, which by most definitions would mean it is not alive.

Bacteria, plants, fungi, many invertebrates are not self-aware, either, but definitely alive.

It's not a cell, but it reproduces and evolves. It has no metabolism but it can adapt.
There's no definite answer. Yet.

 

[Destal]

I believe that viruses are, because they are similar to bacteria. I am not sure, but I think they are.

Nothing like bacteria, virus' are smaller enough and several (and by several I mean the most common "species on the planet, I say "species" due to the whole them being death thing) known as bacteriaphages which infect bacteria.

It's gotta be able to infect somehow, how would it manage to do what it's supposed to if it wasn't alive.

Aren't dead viruses used for making vaccinations.. Or is that dead white blood cells?

Dead bacteria are used for vaccinations normally and it's dead or weakened or just the surface proteins used by the body to recognise it , it's normally difficult to vaccinate against virus' because they mutate so rapidly

It's been done plenty of times though, we have a vaccine for Chickenpox for example.

Didn't say impossible. Do you mean small pox, because I swear there's no cure for chickenpox which is why you try to get children to get it so they build up immunity. Small pox was easy to eradicate because there was one strain, visible symptoms, don't spread overly fast and the vaccination could be freeze dried and used in warmer climates.

There is one for smallpox as well, but I promise they have one for chickenpox, my son just got it a week ago. =)

Aren't they not technically alive unless they're in a host? I'm not sure, it's been years since biology.

That seems to be the general consensus of the science community.

 

[messy]

they are an organism, and have a "brain" or genetic material really, and they are classified as living because they meet the characteristics of a living thing

Well technically they don't meet the criteria because they require another living thing to reproduce. Which means that when not inside one they're technically dead/not living.