Assignment:
Living things share 8 characteristics (listed in Chapter 1 of your textbook on page 19). A living thing grows, undergoes metabolism, responds to its environment, reproduces, passes DNA to the next generation, maintains homeostasis, changes over time, and is made up of cells. A non-living thing may seem to do one or more of these things, but to be classified as living; all eight characteristics must be present. Sometimes, you may see something that seems alive but is not. Though you can't see it, you have likely experienced it; one of those things is a virus.
Answer BOTH of the following questions:
- Using all 8 of the characteristics that define life, indicate which one(s) viruses have and which one(s) they do not, and explain each difference.
- With these results, present an argument that a virus is a living thing. Then, present the opposite argument that viruses are not alive.
You can fill out a table like this (though this is not required):
Characteristic Virus (yes, no, maybe, sort of) Explanation
-Reproduce
-Pass along their traits through DNA
-Consume energy sources and expel waste products to maintain homeostasis
-Respond to their environments
-Respond to stimulus
-Change over time
-Can differ as individuals while still being part of a species
-Are made up of cells
Review the following videos to understand what viruses are and how they work:
- Flu Attack! How a Virus Invades Your Body
- What is a Virus? How do Viruses Work?
Reading these discussions may help you to form your arguments on the status of viruses:
Are Viruses Alive?
Are Viruses Alive? Although Viruses Challenge Our Concept of What "Living" Means, They Are Vital Members of the Web of Life
Follow these guidelines for your paper:
- Utilize at least 1 credible source to support the arguments presented in the paper. Make sure you cite appropriately within your paper, and list the reference(s) in APA format on your Reference page.
- Your paper should be 1 to 2 pages in length, not counting the Title page and Reference page.