In order for something to be alive, it has to be composed of cells and viruses bear no such composition, hence, alluding to the idea that they do not have life. A virus is made up of genes which are enclosed within a capsid. Some viruses are, nevertheless, bound to have an extra membrane. Also, the idea that viruses lack organelles and nuclei makes it impossible for them to undertake changes within their internal environs. The inkling that viruses are not alive is also one of the reasons why they pose a greater challenge compared to bacteria. Antibiotics can, for instance, be utilized on bacteria but not on viruses. Since viruses are not capable of independent replication and also do not grow, they cannot be deemed as life forms.
Viruses are incapable of independent replication. They replicate in a host cell as they seek to move to other parts of the host. The absence of necessary metabolic processes which make it possible for replication to take place makes it difficult for a virus to undertake replication autonomously. Besides, the with the absence of the host`s metabolic mechanism it would not be possible for viruses to function. Contrastingly, bacteria, can utilize the host as an environment meant to supplement their existence, but they are capable of replicating independently (Van Regenmortel, 2016) . A good example is chlamydia spp which bears a translational machinery that can allow it to undergo replication independently.
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All living organisms grow yet viruses do not. Organisms utilize nutrients and energy in order to increase in size. Viruses, on the other hand, use the host to come up with novel viruses that are fully formed. As a result, viruses do not increase in size throughout their actuality. Viruses further lack balance, which is referred to as homeostasis. They are, therefore, incapable of upholding a steady environment without depending on a host.
It is apparent that viruses are not alive. They are not capable of independent replication and instead rely on the host for them to be recreated. A virus also does not grow since upon replication, a full sized virus that has been fully formed is produced. Additional inquiry into the subject matter ought to be undertaken in order to consider assertions made regarding viruses as live forms.
Reference
Van Regenmortel M. H. (2016). The metaphor that viruses are living is alive and well, but it is no more than a metaphor. Studies in history and philosophy of biological and biomedical sciences , 59 , 117–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsc.2016.02.017
