Can you consider viruses alive?

Ur Mom · 01-18-2011, 12:28 PM

I really have no solitary, absolute reason to why I say viruses are living. Why else would they do what they do in order to multiply? They have to have a reason for going on and traveling, otherwise that's one naughty piece of rubbish, but alas it is not, well, in my opinion that is, of course.

Besides, I believe viruses could've been the first of organisms, but then also bacteria could've MADE viruses. Regardless.

Spoiler:

Wooster · 01-18-2011, 01:00 PM

They are not living because they cannot reproduce outside another cell. I believe that is the justification.

<Aurega?> · 01-18-2011, 01:07 PM

Strictly speaking, Viruses are alive since they are a biological cell that can reproduce, and can die. They can also mutate into new forms, or with another strain.

The quote from Matrix that is interesting though:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent Smith

I'd like to share a revelation that I’ve had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species, and I realised that humans are not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment; but you humans do not. Instead you multiply, and multiply, until every resource is consumed. The only way for you to survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern... a virus.

So yes, they are even like us!

<Aurega?> · 01-18-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ur Mom

but then also bacteria could've MADE viruses.

Umm what? How the hell did you manage to reach a conclusion like that?

Danielle · 01-18-2011, 01:18 PM

The protein they have are theirs but everything else comes from their host: "Some viruses contain other ingredients (e.g., lipids, carbohydrates), but these are derived from their host cells." (http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ult...V/Viruses.html)

Spoiler:

Ur Mom · 01-18-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurega

Strictly speaking, Viruses are alive since they are a biological cell that can reproduce, and can die. They can also mutate into new forms, or with another strain.

The quote from Matrix that is interesting though:

So yes, they are even like us!

Neh, I wouldn't like to use something from a piece of art, but fictional piece of art as THE MATRIX. But yes, that is pretty interesting

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurega

Umm what? How the hell did you manage to reach a conclusion like that?

If bacteria have everything a virus has, why is it not possible that the virus could've been an extreme mutation or off-piece of bacteria? This could also explain their non-living nature

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielle

The protein they have are theirs but everything else comes from their host: "Some viruses contain other ingredients (e.g., lipids, carbohydrates), but these are derived from their host cells." (http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ult...V/Viruses.html)

Spoiler:

/Calls you Danny just to tick you off

But yes, which means they could still easily be as alive as DUST

Kreegah!!! · 01-18-2011, 05:51 PM

Viruses are Anti-Life.

Wooster · 01-19-2011, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreegah!

Viruses are Anti-Life.

Damn liberals! D:

Viruses are like incorrect blueprints being dumped at a building site. It causes the construction of something else, but it is the actual living cell that makes it.

Kreegah!!! · 01-19-2011, 07:42 AM

Yes, like rogue DNA or RNA (rarely both. I think never in fact, but not sure).

Things get messy with prions, however.

Wooster · 01-19-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreegah!

Yes, like rogue DNA or RNA (rarely both. I think never in fact, but not sure).

Things get messy with prions, however.

Those are like dumping off of clay bricks rather than marble.

mrsticky005 · 01-21-2011, 10:19 AM

I once heard a strange theory that viruses are from

OUTER SPACE

Danielle · 01-21-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsticky005

I once heard a strange theory that viruses are from

OUTER SPACE

Bacterium too, but that is a different matter.

After reading an article, I would half hazard to believe that there must be some sort of life to viruses, even if they are not thinking organisms. Complex cells have both DNA and RNA, though Viruses only poses RNA, yet it is difficult to get rid of them. So perhaps it is not quite a completely living thing, but it does have a few basic building blocks.

If that made any sense at all.

kakashi uzumaki · 01-22-2011, 08:54 AM

I think they are alive. They move, feed, reproduce, and have qualities other things don't.

J-Sun Tasogare · 01-22-2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kakashi uzumaki

I think they are alive. They move, feed, reproduce, and have qualities other things don't.

They don't feed. They don't even reproduce. All they do is dump DNA off into other cells and they mutate, or the DNA grows and takes over the cells. All the happens is DNA replication.

kakashi uzumaki · 01-22-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Sun Tasogare

They don't feed. They don't even reproduce. All they do is dump DNA off into other cells and they mutate, or the DNA grows and takes over the cells. All the happens is DNA replication.

They do feed, that's how they survive, but then again it depends on the type of virus we're talking about.

Technically what you just said does have to do with Reproducing

01-18-2011, 12:28 PM	#1
Ur Mom Special Jonin Candidate Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: James Bond lobbing Status: Proud Punkarse Nerd Posts: 11,031 Rep Power: 12	Can you consider viruses alive? I really have no solitary, absolute reason to why I say viruses are living. Why else would they do what they do in order to multiply? They have to have a reason for going on and traveling, otherwise that's one naughty piece of rubbish, but alas it is not, well, in my opinion that is, of course. Besides, I believe viruses could've been the first of organisms, but then also bacteria could've MADE viruses. Regardless. Spoiler: Yes, Wooster, I wanted to make a thread from that little conversation you had with Danny __________________

01-18-2011, 01:00 PM	#2
Wooster Special Jonin Candidate Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 36,974 Rep Power: 32	Re: Can you consider viruses alive? They are not living because they cannot reproduce outside another cell. I believe that is the justification. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-18-2011, 01:18 PM	#5
Danielle Special Jonin Candidate Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cali Posts: 14,700 Rep Power: 11	Re: Can you consider viruses alive? The protein they have are theirs but everything else comes from their host: "Some viruses contain other ingredients (e.g., lipids, carbohydrates), but these are derived from their host cells." (http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ult...V/Viruses.html) Spoiler: Don't call me Danny, please and thank you. __________________

01-18-2011, 05:51 PM	#7
Kreegah!!! Special Jonin Candidate Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,874 Rep Power: 15	Re: Can you consider viruses alive? Viruses are Anti-Life.

01-19-2011, 07:42 AM	#9
Kreegah!!! Special Jonin Candidate Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,874 Rep Power: 15	Re: Can you consider viruses alive? Yes, like rogue DNA or RNA (rarely both. I think never in fact, but not sure). Things get messy with prions, however.

01-21-2011, 10:19 AM	#11
mrsticky005 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: In the White Text House Posts: 13,910 Rep Power: 23 Member's Picture Albums	Re: Can you consider viruses alive? I once heard a strange theory that viruses are from OUTER SPACE __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Spam once and the forum will be annoyed. Spam twice and warnings will be deployed Spam thrice and a infraction you will receive Spam 8,984 times and a FAIL Agent you''ll soon be. ...At least in my case. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-22-2011, 08:54 AM	#13
kakashi uzumaki Prodigy Girl Join Date: May 2009 Location: Elmo's World Posts: 8,256 Rep Power: 12	Re: Can you consider viruses alive? I think they are alive. They move, feed, reproduce, and have qualities other things don't. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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