Are viruses living entities? Essay -- Virus Biology

Viruses change every form of life. All life forms can be divided into two states, one that stores and second that acts upon information, to duplicate an organism (Levine 1992). They populate the world between the living and non-living, the ability to duplicate themselves and ones that cannot. Viruses are inherent in organization and their properties are many of secrets of life processes and life (Levine 1992). Viruses may be present in living organisms almost since the origin of life (Levy, Owens 1988). Evidence has showed that viruses can be found in many species, which means every species on this planet carries viruses (Levy,Owens 1988). Most researchers had indicated that viruses have played an important role in understanding how cells functions over the years. Scientists identified the major factors contributing to viruses, such as DNA repair, translation of mRNA, transcription and elucidation of chemical nature of genes. (Levy, Owens 1988). Viruses are regarded as phenotypic modification by the host cells. Through ageing, viruses incorporate host genes in their genomes and vice versa (Morse 1993). Are viruses impossible feature of our life on earth or just a complex chemistry in life? Scientists have yet to state whether viruses are non- living systems or living systems in life. We argue in this discussion whether virus can be living or non living entities. What is a virus? Its roots come from the word Latin, known as â€Å"Poison†. Viruses were first discovered in nineteenth century. Scientists discovered that certain disease such as foot-and mouth disease, rabies were caused by particles that resembles bacteria, however they have the ability to pass through fine filters that bacteria are not capable of. Viruses were... ...s to produce virus specified products. Works Cited 1. Carter, John. Saunders, Venetia. (2008). `Virology Principles and Applications`. Pg6-7. 2. Jalasvuori, Matti, Bamford, K.H. Jaana. Viruses and Life: Can there be one without the other? `Journal of Cosmology`. [August 2010]. Available (Online) Available from: [Assessed 20/11/2010]. 3. Playfair, John. (1995). `Infection and Immunity`. Pg 7, 12. 4. Levine, J. Arnold. (1992). ` Viruses`. Pg1, 8. 5. Levy, A. Jan. (1998). `Virology`. Pg1,2,12 6. Mims, Cedric. (2004). ` Medical Microbiology`. Pg 39-30 Third Edition. 7. Morse, S. Stephen. (1993). `Emerging Viruses`. Pg 3-6. 8. Villarreal,P. Luis. Are Viruses Alive [December 2004]. (Online) Available from: Scientific American [Assessed 18/11/2010].