Florida State University Are Viruses Alive Discussion
Question Description
Are Viruses Alive? (500 word min)
Preparing for your Thread and Reply
How do scientists determine whether “something” is alive? In your thread, you will compare viruses to the 7 criteria scientists have set to determine if something is alive. For your reply, discuss with a classmate your findings and compare your answers.
1. Living “things” must maintain homeostasis
Are viruses made up of cells?
Are viruses able to monitor or create change in their internal environment?
2. Living “things” have different levels of organization
Do viruses have different levels of organization?
3. Living “things” reproduce
Do viruses replicate or reproduce?
4. Living “things” grow
Do viruses grow in size or complexity?
5. Living “things” use energy
Do viruses use energy?
6. Living “things” respond to stimuli
Do viruses respond to external stimuli?
7. Living “things” adapt to their environment
Do viruses adapt to their environment?
To prepare for this discussion board, do research using 3 reference sources:
- Scriptural statements about life’s sanctity and God’s authority over creation of life.
- Your Reading & Study material for this module/week.
- Trusted, scholarly websites dealing with the issue that viruses are alive/dead.
The title of your thread for each of the 7 criteria listed above must begin with your answer (the word “yes” or “no”) to the question for each category. Using at least 2 concise sentences, argue your answer for each criterion as to whether viruses are alive or not.
After other threads have been posted, reply to at least 1 other classmate’s thread whose position, for any 2 of the 7 criteria, is different from your own. The objective is to sway your classmate to your side. If most classmates’ threads are sympathetic to your own, critique their arguments rather than their conclusion. This makes the group’s overall conclusion stronger. In each case your reply must consist of at least 2 concise sentences. Finally, at the end of each criterion state your verdict as Pass, Fail, Maybe, or Unknown and provide a brief reasoning of your verdict.
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