Register | Login | |||||
Main
| Memberlist
| Active users
| ACS
| Commons
| Calendar
| Online users Ranks | FAQ | Color Chart | Photo album | IRC Chat |
| |
0 user currently in World Affairs / Debate. |
Acmlm's Board - I2 Archive - World Affairs / Debate - Virus | | | |
Pages: 1 2 | Add to favorites | "RSS" Feed | Next newer thread | Next older thread |
User | Post | ||
Jagori Flurry Level: 27 Posts: 228/267 EXP: 103625 For next: 12534 Since: 04-17-04 Since last post: 1 day Last activity: 2 hours |
| ||
A virus is a germ. "Germ" in that sense just means some sort of microorganism, usually a pathogen. I consider any biological organism to be alive, so yes in my opinion viruses are alive. They're not sentient, but they're alive. | |||
Alastor the Stylish Hey! I made a cool game! It's called "I poisoned half the food, so if you eat you might die!" Have a taco. Level: 114 Posts: 6810/7620 EXP: 16258468 For next: 51099 Since: 03-15-04 From: Oregon, US Since last post: 2 hours Last activity: 2 hours |
| ||
That's stupid logic, though, because that's not what it means. Sure, you can take it to mean that, just as I can take "human" to mean "having characteristics of plants" but that doesn't make it so. (edited by Kyouji Craw on 07-03-05 06:29 PM) |
|||
alte Hexe Star Mario I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night Alive as you and me "But Joe you're ten years dead!" "I never died" said he "I never died!" said he Level: 99 Posts: 4416/5458 EXP: 9854489 For next: 145511 Since: 03-15-04 From: ... Since last post: 2 hours Last activity: 2 hours |
| ||
Actually, that's fairly sound logic. What with him keeping it within the classification of a biotic organism. | |||
cowsruleusall Red Paragoomba Level: 11 Posts: 48/50 EXP: 5415 For next: 570 Since: 03-12-05 From: Previously North York, ON Since last post: 41 days Last activity: 29 days |
| ||
Oooh, a great topic. I wrote a three-page essay on this for my final exam in Biology. Viruses are most definately not alive, nor are they biotic microorganisms. They are pathogens (pathogen refers to any infectious agent, be it bacteria, virus, fungi, or other parasite). To be alive, as one of the 7 characteristics of life, a living organism must be able to reproduce by itself. Viruses are only a protein coat surrounding genetic material. It is completely incapable of reproducing by itself. Viruses instead insert their genetic material into a living cell, taking over it. That cell then creates more viruses; the virus itself does not create more viruses. Also, metabolism, or some form of taking in energy to sustain a given state (excuse me if I'm not making sense, as I'm really tired) is not shown in viruses, and that is another one of the 7 characteristics of life. As part of cell theory, all living things are composed of one or more cells. Viruses do not have cells; therefore, they cannot be alive. If right now I could remember what else I wrote, I'd include it, but I deleted all of the remains of this school year from my computer. There is just absolutely no way a virus can be alive. (edited by cowsruleusall on 07-09-05 01:24 AM) |
|||
||bass Programmer Admin Level: 44 Posts: 617/817 EXP: 570813 For next: 40472 Since: 03-15-04 From: Salem, Connecticut Since last post: 26 days Last activity: 11 days |
| ||
I would just like to point out that, while biologic viruses actually invade host cells and bla bla bla etc etc etc, a COMPUTER virus actually doesn't do anything. It's the computer that runs the code that creates the viral effects. It's a small dissimilarity that makes a HUGE difference. | |||
Dracoon Zelda The temp ban/forum ban bypasser! Level: 84 Posts: 3303/3727 EXP: 5514391 For next: 147561 Since: 03-25-04 From: At home Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 5 hours |
| ||
The only thing that I can think of is... does it really matter what we consider them? We know what they are, why would it matter if they were alive. If a tiger was about to kill you and you have the means to kil you, and barring you being suicidal and a few other things, you'd kill it wouldn't you? | |||
Grey the Stampede Don't mess with powers you don't understand. And yes. That means donuts. Level: 82 Posts: 2645/3770 EXP: 5192909 For next: 16318 Since: 06-17-04 From: Kingston, RI, USA, Earth Since last post: 2 hours Last activity: 1 hour |
| ||
Nah, tigers are tough. You'd have some trouble killing it. Of the seven signs of life, I can remember: Cell structure Reproduction Respiration Response to stimulus Growth over time If these are even correct, does anyone know the other two? Grey brain no work sleep well without. |
Pages: 1 2 | Add to favorites | "RSS" Feed | Next newer thread | Next older thread |
Acmlm's Board - I2 Archive - World Affairs / Debate - Virus | | | |