BIOL 04103 Chapter Notes -Unit, Adenine, Red Blood Cell

Scientists have agreed that an organism is considered living bythe 4 processes of life: growth, reproduction, responsiveness andmetabolism. Please define one of these 4 processes and provide anexample of how living organisms depict this characteristic.

Which of the following characteristics of living organisms absolutely disqualifies viruses as alive?

A. Reproduction

B. Ability to move

C. Utilizing energy

D. Evolutionary adaptation

E. Cellular organization

Characteristics of Living Things (50 points)

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.