1.) a.What was the original definition of a virus before it could be seen with electron
microscopy? Why is that definition no longer functionally useful? What is the current definition
of a virus?
b.What are the differences between cellular organisms (i.e., eukaryotes & prokaryotes) and
viruses? Can antibiotics be used to treat viral infections? Interferons? Why or why not? Why are
some more recently discovered viruses challenging some of these paradigms, especially the one
that classifies viruses as non-living? Explain.
Solution
Ques-1: 1.) What was the original definition of a virus before it could be seen with electron
microscopy? Why is that definition no longer functionally useful? What is the current definition
of a virus?
Answer:
According to degeneracy hypothesis, viruses were considered as small cells that can live as
parasites in other cells. The other definition of viruses before they were seen under electron
microscopy is that the viruses are evolved from macromolecules such as protein and nucleic acid
at the time of cells initially appeared on Earth. at the same time as cells first appeared on earth.
These definitions are not worked because these viruses are not complete cells because they do
not have conspicuous nucleus or cell membrane or any morphological cellular features when
observed under electron microscope. Therefore, the new definition of virus has proposed that
these are technically living species and it is a small in size composed of virion and a segment of
nucleic acid covered by a protein coat referred as capsid often infectious in host cell.
1.) a.What was the original definition of a virus before it could be.pdf
1. 1.) a.What was the original definition of a virus before it could be seen with electron
microscopy? Why is that definition no longer functionally useful? What is the current definition
of a virus?
b.What are the differences between cellular organisms (i.e., eukaryotes & prokaryotes) and
viruses? Can antibiotics be used to treat viral infections? Interferons? Why or why not? Why are
some more recently discovered viruses challenging some of these paradigms, especially the one
that classifies viruses as non-living? Explain.
Solution
Ques-1: 1.) What was the original definition of a virus before it could be seen with electron
microscopy? Why is that definition no longer functionally useful? What is the current definition
of a virus?
Answer:
According to degeneracy hypothesis, viruses were considered as small cells that can live as
parasites in other cells. The other definition of viruses before they were seen under electron
microscopy is that the viruses are evolved from macromolecules such as protein and nucleic acid
at the time of cells initially appeared on Earth. at the same time as cells first appeared on earth.
These definitions are not worked because these viruses are not complete cells because they do
not have conspicuous nucleus or cell membrane or any morphological cellular features when
observed under electron microscope. Therefore, the new definition of virus has proposed that
these are technically living species and it is a small in size composed of virion and a segment of
nucleic acid covered by a protein coat referred as capsid often infectious in host cell
