Contents
Introduction to Virus
Origin of Virus
Foundations of Virology
Living Organisms?
Characterisitics of Virus
In the future
Virus Research
LiViNg OrGaNisMs oR noT?
The question of whether viruses are living organisms or not is still unknown. LIfe can be defined as a complex set of processes resulting from the actions of proteins specified by nucleic acids. These nucleic acids of living cells are in action all the time. Because viruses are inert outside of living host cells, in this sense, they are not considered to be living organisms. However, once viruses enter a host cell, the viral nucleic acids become active, and viral multiplication results. In this sense, viruses are alive when they multiply in the host cells they infect. From a clinical point of view, viruses can be considered alive because they cause infection and disease, just as pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and protazoa too.
Depending on one view's point, a virus may be regarded as an exceptionally complex aggregation of non-living chemicals or as an exceptionally simple living microorganism.
How, then do we define a virus? Viruses were originally distinguished from other infections agents because they are obligatory intracellular parasites --that is, they absolutely require living host cells in order to multiply. However, both of these properties are shared by a ceratin small bacteria, such as some rickettsias.
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