Jube's Virus Argumentation

My evidence supports my claim because many viruses don’t fit the description of a living thing. Living things must be made up of cells, have the ability to grow, reproduce independently, respond to stimuli, eliminate waste products, and adapt to their environment.  Many viruses many have characteristics similar to that of a living thing, but if it does not have all of the characteristics, it cannot be considered alive. Living things are defined by their specific functions and processes, and viruses act as their inhibitor as they work to attack the normal functions of living things.

For instance, the influenza virus cannot be considered a living thing (according to the chart). It has no energy source, it produces no waste products, and it cannot respond to external stimuli. It also has no source of carbon. As a result, the virus has no was of carrying out metabolic processes such as cellular respiration as carbon is a vital element of life. Although this virus has nucleic acids and protein, its lack of lipids and carbohydrates does not allow it to be classified as a living thing. Lipids are vital as they store energy for the cells. Without lipids, the cellular membranes would not be flexible, and the cells would not be regulated in an efficient manner. Furthermore, the influenza virus lacks the ability to reproduce independently. Living things must have this trait in order to be considered alive. However, this virus uses replication to “reproduce”. It requires a host to replicate. By settling on a human host cell, it is able to attack it, and replicate as it travels its path. This makes the virus dependent on its host which is not a characteristic of a living thing. To add, living things must be able to adapt to changes in their environment. However, viruses typically do not adapt to their environments. They tend to invade the systems of other living things, and they work very systematically. They do not alter their structure and functions according to their environments as they attack.

In contrast, a dog can be considered a living thing (according to the chart provided). Dogs get their energy source from organic compounds. Organic compounds contain carbon which allow dogs to carry out metabolic processes such as cellular respiration. Since dogs have a source of carbohydrates, they can use their metabolic processes to break it down to form energy as carbs provide a source of ATP. To add, they are made up of all of the four main biomolecules of life (nucleic acids, protein, lipids, and carbohydrates). This allows them to grow and survive in an efficient manner. Nucleic acids account for their genetic material, proteins account for their build and physical makeup, lipids allow for flexible cell membranes and well as efficient energy storage, and carbohydrates provides the cells with the energy needed to do work. Dogs also have the ability to eliminate waste products, respond to external stimuli, and reproduce sexually. Unlike viruses, dogs are able to adapt to their environment. When introduced to a new environment, dogs tend change their behavior to increase their chances of survival. Essentially, viruses have unique traits which make them a virus. However, due to their lack of energy, inability to grow and reproduce independently, and inability to produce waste products and respond to stimuli, they cannot be considered a living thing.