BIO 100 Rogers

The Definition of LifeMichael Rogers Biology 100 Fall of 2023

Properties of Life

• Order (Organization)
• Metabolism (Energy)
• Homeostasis (Thermal Regulation)
• Growth and Development
• Reproduction (Duplicating DNA)
• Response and Adaptation (Environment)
• Evolution
• Genetic Code
• Cells

Why historically have viruses been catergorized as non living? Why? Why? Why? I want to be living! I want to live! I am alive! Viruses Living? Are viruses must be able to replicate by their own? Do viruses multiply by celular divison? Do viruses contain a metabolism? Viruses replicate by hijacking the reproduction equipment of a host cell, redirect it to "photocopy" the genetic code of the virus and seal it inside a newly formed container known as a capsid . Without a host cell, they simply cannot replicate. I'm a virus. Am I ever alive? New studies have found that viruses and modern cells share a common ancestry but viruses are even more ancient than living cells. Researchers need to expand the definition of "What is life?" Jake Port Why Are Viruses Considered Non Living Cosmo 15 October 2021 www.http://sciencealert.com/viruses-are-alive-and -they-are-older-than-modern-cells

What are Viruses?Viruses may be difficult to define as there are many unknowns and many factors that Scientist still not have discovered, although many things are common in most viruses.iruses have the following components: Viruses are microscopic particles. Viruses are present in animals, plants and other living organisms. A virus is an infectious particle that displays characteristics of life and non-life. Viruses are different than animals, plants and bacteria in both stucture and function. Viruses are different shapes and sizes, normally in rods and spheres. Viruses are tiny infectious agents that must use living cells to multiple. Viruses are smaller than bacteria, most being 20 to 400 nanometers. Viruses are not completely independent. They move in and out of our bodies, using our resources to produce their offspring. Viruses are not cells and can't reproduce on their own. Viruses must use a host to produce energy, reproduce and survive. All viruses have a protein coating and capside. A living organsism is a necessary host for viruses to live and survive.

How does the structure of a virus differ from the structure of prokaryotes (continued)Viruses can produce only be infecting a host cell. Prokaryotes have pili that are used to exchange genetic material during reproduction. The viruses DNA or RNA genomes are insdie of a protein shell called a capsid. The prokaryotes DNA is found in the central part of the cell -the nucleoid. Viruses are not fully dependent-they use a host cell to take their resources to reproduce. Prokaryotes can reproduce on their own usually. Viruses are grouped according to size and shapes, at different heirchard levels, grouped into levels of order, family, genius, and species. Prokayotes belong to the domains Bacteria and Archaea Both prokaryotes and viruses are necessary for the continuing of life.

How does a virus utilize and get energy?I believe viruses are alive because: There is a fine line between the definition of what is life and what isn't life. There are currently over 120 definitions of life. Both viruses and living things have many traits in common. They both share a common ancestry. Both contain DNA They depend on each other for life. They have the same building blocks. They both replicate and evolve. They need each other to reproduce. Viruses need host cells. Plants, animals and humans need another of the same species to reproduce. Scientists are looking into proof that viruses are alike.

How do cells get their energy?Sun is the main source of energy for almost all cells. Cells must find a source in their environment to get energy. Cells turn nutrients into usable energy. Rich sources of energy are: Complex organic food molecules Sugars,fats and proteins. Sources are stored with chemical bonds that hold them together There are two processes needed to conduct energy for a cell. In plants the process is photosynthesis. In animals the process is cellular respiration. In photosynthesis, the plant uses carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the ground. Photosynthesis uses energy from the sun to produce glucose. Glucose is necessary for plant's cell life process. Cellular respiration takes glucose from the animal cells and breaks it down by using oxygen. Plants, animals and humans need each other. Each one produces what the other needs.

Cells turn nutrients into usable energy. Rich sources of energy are: Complex organic food molecules Sugars,fats and proteins. Sources are stored with chemical bonds that hold them together There are two processes needed to conduct energy for a cell. In plants the process is photosynthesis. In animals the process is cellular respiration. In photosynthesis, the plant uses carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the ground. Photosynthesis uses energy from the sun to produce glucose. Glucose is necessary for plant's cell life process. Cellular respiration takes glucose from the animal cells and breaks it down by using oxygen. Plants, animals and humans need each other. Each one produces what the other needs.

How does a virus utilize and get energy? A virus uses your cells to copy itself Viruses can infect every thing that is living. The capsid or receptor proteins are very simulair to the nutrients the cell needs. The virus receptor binds to the cell receptor. The cell thinks the virus is a nutrient because they look pretty much the same. The viruses gets their energy by using your cells to copy each other Once they copy the cell this give them the energy to enter the cell. Viruses enter the cell and then take over by replicating themselves into more viruses.

The evidence for the argument that viruses should be categorized as living.. According to some, viruses are not living. Viruses use cells to copy and replicate itself. Cells have to have a source in the environment to obtain energy. Both viruses and cells use other sources to obtain energy. According to research done by Michael LePage " Viruses have been shown to produce their own energy for the first time. A few giant viruses appear to create their own energy. (LePage. Michael. {30-Oct.-2020} Viruses have been shown to produce their own energy. Once they copy the cell this give them the energy to enter the cell ( } Viruses have been Viruses enter the cell and then take over by replicating themselves into more viruses

The evidence for the argument that viruses should be categorized as living.. According to some, viruses are not living. Viruses use cells to copy and replicate itself. Cells have to have a source in the environment to obtain energy. Both viruses and cells use other sources to obtain energy. According to research done by Michael LePage " Viruses have been shown to produce their own energy for the first time. A few giant viruses appear to create their own energy. (LePage. Michael. {30-Oct.-2020} Viruses have been shown to produce their own energy. Once they copy the cell this give them the energy to enter the cell ( } Viruses have been Viruses enter the cell and then take over by replicating themselves into more viruses

Cell Reproduction Cell goes through a series of stages. This is called the cell cycle. The first stages of the cell cycle involve cell growth. The DNA is replicated. The single strand of DNA that makes up each chromosome produces an exact copy of itself. All of the organalles inside a cell are also copied. Each time a cell divides, it makes a copy of all of its chromosomes which are tightly coiled strands of DNA This send an identical copy of the new cell that is created. This process is called mitosis Virus Reproduction Viruses are considered a link between living and non living organisms. Viruses lack a cellular structure as found in living organisms which can be unicellular or multicellular. Viruses show both similarites and differences with living cells. Viruses and cell like bacteria have certain similarties in their structures. Viruses should be classified as living because both viruses and cells go through reproduction. Viruses are condidered a link between living and non living organisms. Viruses and cell like bacteria have certain similarties in their structure.

Why and how does a cell mutate? There are various reasons why a cell mutates. Mutation in a cell can be from exposure to specific chemicals or ratiation that causes the DNA to break down. Mutation in a cell can be from environmental factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiations or certain chemicals that can induce changes in the DNA sequence. Mutation in a cell can be caused by heritary factors. Cells have mechanisms to repair damaged or altered DNA molecules but they aren't perfect. Mutations occur any time a cell ends up carrying a DNA sequence that slightly differs from the original. VHow and why does a virus mutate? Viruses survive by making hundreds or even thousands copies of themselves. Errors in how the copies are made are a natural part of the process. There are three possible outcomes when a virus mutates. Nothing can happen, the virus gets weaker or the virus gets stronger. Mutations do not have a significant impact on symptoms associated with a particular virus. Mutations do not have a significant impact on the way a virus spreads. It varies from virus to virus.Viruses should be classified as living because like cells they are cabable of mutation.

How does the stucture of a virus and thestructure of a prokaryote differ?Viruses are possibly alive.Prokaryotes are alive. Viruses are acellular. Prokaryotes are unicellular. Virus are smaller than cells. (20 tp 300 manometers ) Prokaryotes are much larger than viruses. (0.5 to 5.0 micrometers) Viruses and cells share a common ancestry. Viruses are more ancient than living cells. Prokaryotes ancesters gave rise to all life forms presemnt on earth. Viruses contain DNA or RNA but not both. Prokaryotes contain only DNA Both have many traits of living cells are made of the same building blocks.

Why are some people naturally resistant to diseases and viruses?Some people are naturally resistant . Others develop asymtomatic infection.Natural resistance is part of the disease history in some individuals exposures to coronovirus. Arguments for natural resistance to SARS-Cov-2 are lower in positively exposure in children compared to adults. Mechanisms of Natural Resistance. Host genetic variants Viral interference Cross protective natural antibodies T cell immunity Highly effective innate immune responses If an infection occurs the severity of the disease varies between patients

How do vaccines provide immunity for viruses? Vaccines contain weakend or inactive parts of a particular organism (antigen) that triggers and immunce response within the body. Newer vaccines contain the blueprint for producing antigents rather than antigen itself. Weakened versions will not cause the disease in the person recieving the vaccine but it will prompt their immune system to respond much as it would have on its first reaction to the actual pathogen. This information provides evidence that viruses are living because vaccines contain weakened ( weak but living) parts of an organism. Weakend versions cannot cause the disease as the person who recieves the vaccine will prompt their immune system to respond. The immune system is a part of the cells that human beings have. If people are alive and cells are alive, then the weakened virus, would too, be alive.

What is the purpose of DNA and RNA in a cell? DNA holds the genetic information or blueprint for the protein. RNA specifically measures RNA (mRNA) caries this information from DNA to the ribosomes where translations into a protein sequence occurs. Transfers RNA and ribosomal RNA - RNA touches almost everything in a cell. RNA carries out a broad span of functions from translating genetic information into molecular machines and structures of the cell to regulating the activity of genes during development, cellular differentuation and chargine environments. RNA molecules assemble proteins and modify other RNAs RNA moleccules regulate gene expression. DNA contains the instructions that are necessary for an organism to grow, develop and reproduce. These instructions exist within the sequence of nucleotide base pairs. DNA helps your body grow. Your cells read this code three bases at a time to generate proteins that are essential for growth and survival.

What is the purpose of DNA and RNA in a virus? The information stored in a virus-its genetic material is either DNA or RNA. DNA is like the instruction manual for how to build the virus. RNA is like the translation in a language that the cell of machinery can read and make into proteins. Viruses are either DNA or RNA. Both are nucleid acids. This information provides evidence that a virus is living because both cells and viruses contain DNA and RNA. DNA in both viruses and cells contain instructions that are necessary for growth. Both cells and viruses carry information for translation of the cell of machinery can read. The RNA and DNA of both cells and viruses are very similar.

Are viruses subject to evolution.? If so, how do viruses evolve? Viruses undergo evolutional and natural selection just like cell based life and most of them evolve rapidly. When two viruses infect a cell at the same time they may swap genetic material to make new mixed viruses with unique properties. New studies in evolution history suggests that viruses evolved from ancient cells. If this and other new studies are consistent, this proves viruses are alive. Cells are alive which means ancient cells were alive. Viruses evolved from cells so viruses can be defined as alive. With the creation of a viable method of studying viruses long evolutionary history, researchers have found new evidence that viruses are living endities.

What is the difference between bacterial diseases amd viral diseases? Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Viral infections are usually left to run their course, with treatments only often used to alleviate the symptoms. Bacterial infections increase neutrophil eosinophil counts while viruses increase lyphocyte count. Viruses are smaller and they are not cells. Unlike bacteria they need a host such as a human or animal to multiply . Viruses cause infections by entering and multiplying inside the host's healthy cells. A doctor or nurse in a surgical room wear masks and frequently wash thier hands during surgery to prevent from bacteria entering the perspn who is having surgery. Yet masks are also worn to prevent people from exposing others to COVID-19. Hands are washed to prevent bacteria and hands are washed to prevent viruses. Both viruses and bacteria enter the body through the same sources so why would a virus not be alive?

Are viruses alive? New evidence shows viruses are alive. Evolutionary history suggests that viruses evolved from ancient cells. Viruses are older than modern cells. Developments in virology have started to reveal more and more that viruses are alive. The discovery of mimiviruses, giant viruses with large genomic libraries that are even bigger than some bacteria. Viruses were not simply shred genetic material of cells. Viruses shared unique properties with cells. 442 protein folds were shared between cells and viruses with an additional 66 folds that were unique to viruses. A universal biology unifies viruses and cells which justifies viruses belonging to the Tree of Life. Viruses have been shown to produce their own energy. In 2011 Patrick Forlerre of Pasteur Institute stated that viruses alternate between an active and inactive state. There is enough evidence to determine that viruses such as COVID-19 are living. Studies continue in the research of living viruses and will continue for some time. The definition of life is important in determining that viruses are alive yet the fact that viruses evolved from living cells is proof in itself.

References Cargile, Joe (2016, March 28) How do cells get most of their energy? Expert Answers https://www.enotes.com/homework-help-how-does-a-cell-get-energy Cell Energy and Cell Functions (article) Nature https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/cell-energy-and-cell-functions Cells versus Viruses/ Definition and Characteristics (article) https://study.com/academy/viruses-genetic-material-reproduction.hotmail Health Direct Bacteria versus Viral Infections https://www.healthdirect.gov/bacteria-versus-viral-infections How does a virus utilize and get energy (article) Arizona State University https://askabiologist.asu.edu/virus How and why does a cell mutate? (article) Britanica Encyclopedia http://www.evolution-berkely-britanica. com LePage, Michael (2020, October 30) Viruses have been shown to produce their own energy for the first time. (article) New Scientific Life. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2258107-viruses-have-been-known-to-produce-their-own-energy Milliken, Grennam (2015 September 22) Popular Science Are Viruses alive? New Evidence Says Yes

References Natural Selection-Common Ancestry Khan Academy http://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/natural-selection/common-ancestry Processes Used By Viruses to Replicate National Geographic Society https://www.nationalgeographic.org/ processes-used-by-viruses-to-replicate Trends, Immanunol (2022 February ) Natural Resistance Against Infections: focus on COVID-119 University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. RNA Theraputics Institute https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomias Viruses are either DNA or RNA Cleveland Clinic https://myclevelandclinic.org/health/body/24861 What is DNA Healthline https://healthline.com/health/what-is-dna WHO International (featuare stories) How Do Vaccines Work Newsroom. https://www.whoint/news/feature-stories/how-do-vaccines-work.gov Yadam Piyush (2023, August 21) Cells Versus viruses: Differences and Compatrison