Organise a discussion in your class on the topic – Are viruses living or non-living?
Solution and Explanation
Viruses are microscopic organisms that have characteristics of both living and non-living. A virus consists of a strand of DNA or RNA covered by a protein coat. This presence of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) suggests that viruses are alive. In addition, they can also respond to their environment (inside the host cell) in a limited manner.
However, some other characters, such as their inability to reproduce without using the host cell machinery and their acellular nature, indicate that viruses are non-living. Therefore, classifying viruses has remained a mystery for modern systematics.
Top Questions on Viruses, Viroids, Prions And Lichens
- Which of the following is the genetic material in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
- CUET (PG) - 2023
- Biology
- Viruses, Viroids, Prions And Lichens
- Match List I with List II
LIST I
(Microbe)LIST II
(Natural habitat)A. Streptomyces I. Aquatic habitat B. Influenza virus II. Terrestrial Environment C. Spirulina III. Sewage treatment D. Giardia IV. Airborne pathogen Choose the correct answer from the options given below:- CUET (PG) - 2023
- Biology
- Viruses, Viroids, Prions And Lichens
- Arrange the events of virus replication in a host cell:
A. Attachment
B. Packing of viral genome with structural proteins
C. Release of genomic material in the host cytoplasm
D. Synthesis of viral genes and proteins
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:- CUET (PG) - 2023
- Zoology
- Viruses, Viroids, Prions And Lichens
- Match List I with List II
List I List II A Clonal propagation I Meristem culture B Virus free plant II Cell line culture in a bioreactor C Haploid plant production III Axillary bud D Secondary metabolite production IV Anther culture Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- CUET (PG) - 2023
- Botany
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- Match List I with List IIChoose the correct answer from the options given below :
List I
VirusList II
DiseaseA. H1N1 Virus I. Guillian Barre Syndrome B. Flavi virus II. Severe Accute Respiratory Syndrome C. Corona Virus III. Yellow Fever D. Zika Virus IV. Swine Flu - CUET (PG) - 2023
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- Viruses, Viroids, Prions And Lichens
Questions Asked in CBSE Class XI exam
- Distinguish between the following pairs of sentences.
(i) He was visibly moved.
(ii) He was visually impaired.- CBSE Class XI
- The adventure
- How, according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?
- CBSE Class XI
- The tale of melon City
Figures 9.20(a) and (b) refer to the steady flow of a (non-viscous) liquid. Which of the two figures is incorrect ? Why ?
- CBSE Class XI
- Pressure
- Describe the change in hybridisation (if any) of the Al atom in the following reaction.
\(AlCl_3+Cl^- \rightarrow AlCl_4^-\)- CBSE Class XI
- Hybridisation
- Why did the narrator of the story want to forget the address?
- CBSE Class XI
- The address
Concepts Used:
Biological Classification
The process of grouping living organisms into categories is called biological classification. The most modern 5-kingdom classification was put ahead by an eminent scientist R.H.Whittaker. The five-kingdom classification is based on the criteria like cell structure, mode of nutrition, body form, and reproduction. One of the most important characteristics of this system is that it follows the evolutionary sequence of living organisms. The organisms are classified into distinct taxa or levels like Kingdom, Phylum, Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. The 5 kingdoms are as follows:
