Discuss Why Viruses Are Considered Infectious "Particles" on the Borderline

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The Answer is Viruses are considered infectious "particles" on the borderline between living and non-living because they exhibit characteristics of both living and non-living things.

On one hand, viruses are non-living because they cannot carry out their own metabolic processes, such as respiration or reproduction, without a host cell. They do not have the necessary organelles or cellular machinery to carry out these processes on their own. Additionally, they do not grow, develop, or respond to stimuli like living organisms do.

On the other hand, viruses are considered living because they can replicate and evolve, which are two key characteristics of living organisms. When a virus infects a host cell, it hijacks the cell's machinery to create new virus particles. This ability to reproduce and evolve is a hallmark of living organisms. Additionally, viruses can adapt to their environment and evolve over time, similar to living organisms.

Overall, viruses are considered infectious "particles" on the borderline between living and non-living because they exhibit some characteristics of living organisms (such as replication and evolution) but lack others (such as metabolic processes and response to stimuli). This unique combination of traits places them in a category that blurs the line between living and non-living entities.

Discuss Why Viruses Are Considered Infectious "Particles" on the Borderline

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