Viruses and bacteria are both microorganisms, but they have key differences. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can reproduce on their own and have a complex structure with cell walls and membranes. In contrast, viruses are much smaller, lack cellular structure, and cannot reproduce without a host cell, as they hijack the host's machinery to make copies of themselves. Most scientists argue that viruses are not considered living things because they do not exhibit characteristics of life, such as metabolism and independent reproduction. They only show signs of life when inside a host, highlighting their dependence on other cells for survival and replication.
Compare and contrast the traits of viruses and bacteria. Why do most scientists argue that a virus is not considered a living thing? Explain your answer in 3–5 sentences.(4 points)
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3 answers
Occasionally, the lysogenic cycle changes to the lytic cycle. In 3–5 sentences, explain why the lytic cycle cannot change to the lysogenic cycle.(4 points)
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The lytic cycle cannot change to the lysogenic cycle because they are fundamentally different processes. In the lytic cycle, the virus takes over the host cell immediately and makes many copies of itself, leading to the destruction of the host cell. In contrast, the lysogenic cycle allows the virus to integrate its genetic material into the host's DNA and remain dormant for a time without immediately causing harm. Once the virus is in the lytic phase, it has already committed to replicating and destroying the host cell, making a shift back to a dormant state impossible.