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Virology What the heck is a virus? Rate Topic: -----

#1 User is offline   radioactivestd 


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Posted 20 March 2007 - 09:00 PM

It has been argued extensively whether viruses are living organisms. Most virologists consider them non-living, as they do not meet all the criteria of the generally accepted definition of life. They are similar to obligate intracellular parasites as they lack the means for self-reproduction outside a host cell, but unlike parasites, viruses are generally not considered to be true living organisms. A definitive answer is still elusive. Some organisms considered to be living exhibit characteristics of both living and non-living particles, as viruses do. For those who consider viruses living, viruses are an exception to the cell theory proposed by Theodor Schwann, as viruses are not made up of cells.
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The origins of modern viruses are not entirely clear. It may be that no single mechanism can account for all viruses. They do not fossilize well, so molecular techniques have been the most useful means of hypothesising how they arose. Research in microfossil identification and molecular biology may yet discern fossil evidence dating to the Archean or Proterozoic eons.
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What are these things and where did they come from?
Are they living things or remnants of nano machines from the past?
Theories?

I got this idea from the alien machine visitation thread. So if it sucks,... well then it sucks. w00t.gif

#2 User is offline   Lotus Flower 


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Posted 20 March 2007 - 11:00 PM

Neat images!!!

They remind me of little mechanical devices actually. All except for the first image, that reminded me of a crocheted hat!

I have no idea whether they really are living organisms or not, but I can tell you this, when I have had a virus, it hasn't half made me feel ill, if it isn't a living thing, how could it cause illnesses?

I don't like talking about viruses, my computer knows I am talking about them and gets jittery!

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#3 User is offline   EmpressStarXVII 


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Posted 20 March 2007 - 11:04 PM

Interesting post thumbsup.gif. I always hated colouring virus's and cells in biology.
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#4 User is offline   Lt_Ripley 


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Posted 20 March 2007 - 11:14 PM

I figure if it can die then it must be alive. how it reproduces is another matter. humans have babies in ways other than stricktly standard methods.

the fact that viruses can adapt and change proves it's hardiness. maybe life and it's definition needs to be looked at again. who knows what life the universe may hold that doesn't meet our current definition.

#5 User is offline   Lilly 


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Posted 20 March 2007 - 11:26 PM

Is a virus alive? The short answer: Yes and No.

For a bit of a longer explanation see this page for a good overview of this question. One thing is for sure, viruses can make other living things pretty darn miserable! linked-image
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#6 User is offline   Unlimited 


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Posted 20 March 2007 - 11:45 PM

good topic but; are we in the right section?...or is this about alien viruses?.....viruses are lethal bad business...
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#7 User is online   chaoszerg 


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Posted 20 March 2007 - 11:47 PM

Quote

good topic but; are we in the right section?...or is this about alien viruses?.....viruses are lethal bad business...



I'm not sure myself unless the OP is pointing out that Viruses could be alien in nature or alien beings I don't know.



Quote

Interesting post thumbsup.gif. I always hated colouring virus's and cells in biology.



I would rather colour them than catch a virus. laugh.gif

#8 User is offline   Mr. DeYoung 


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Posted 21 March 2007 - 12:55 AM

Quote

Neat images!!!

They remind me of little mechanical devices actually. All except for the first image, that reminded me of a crocheted hat!

I have no idea whether they really are living organisms or not, but I can tell you this, when I have had a virus, it hasn't half made me feel ill, if it isn't a living thing, how could it cause illnesses?

I don't like talking about viruses, my computer knows I am talking about them and gets jittery!

laugh.gif
Funny thing about that is, so does mine.. COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT!! DUN DUN DUNNNN!!

Possibilities are endless.

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Posted 21 March 2007 - 01:37 AM

http://www.unexplain...showtopic=83827

Read this post and scroll down to where she drew a picture of the "device" Looks just like a virus. I'm wearing extra bug spray tonight
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#10 User is offline   radioactivestd 


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Posted 21 March 2007 - 03:25 AM

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good topic but; are we in the right section?...or is this about alien viruses?.....viruses are lethal bad business...


The whole thing is is that science really doesn't know what a virus actually is.

#11 User is offline   radioactivestd 


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Posted 21 March 2007 - 03:27 AM

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Is a virus alive? The short answer: Yes and No.

For a bit of a longer explanation see this page for a good overview of this question. One thing is for sure, viruses can make other living things pretty darn miserable! linked-image

I like the end when the article suggests that if a physical virus is alive, then a cyber virus is also a living thing. Because they work almost exactly the same.
Makes me think that they are machines, (nano machines).

#12 User is offline   radioactivestd 


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Posted 21 March 2007 - 03:31 AM

Do we actualy know for sure that new viruses come from old viruses "mutating" or could there be another source?
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