Question

Viruses are no more alive than isolated chromosomes. Justify.

Answer 1

Chromosomes:

1. These are hyper-condensed DNA strands that contain and transfer genetic material from the parents to the offspring.
2. Various enzymes, protein complexes, and highly maintained physiological conditions in the nucleus enable the duplication of genetic material and their translation into functional proteins.

Viruses:

1. Viruses are acellular, obligate parasites.
2. They are composed of genetic material and a protein coat without any replication machinery.
3. Hence, they are inert outside the host cell.
4. They do not have their own metabolic machinery.
5. They use the host’s machinery for multiplication.

Viruses are no more alive than isolated chromosomes because both chromosomes and viruses require the environment of a cell to replicate.