Biology Experts please answer this Question!!!
Dear Student,
Tiny organisms that live in soil and water but not fall in category of microorganisms are viruses and prions.
• Virus: A virus is a small parasite that cannot reproduce by itself. Once it infects a susceptible cell, however, a virus can direct the cell machinery to produce more viruses. Most viruses have either RNA or DNA as their genetic material. Most viruses do not respond to changes in the environment, which is a definitive trait for living organisms. Viruses can replicate themselves only by infecting a host cell. They therefore cannot reproduce on their own.
• Prions: Prions are infectious agent. They are proteins that are folded abnormally (folding is a property of proteins enabling them to take on a shape that is critical for their function), and which can convert normally folded proteins to abnormally folded ones.
Regards
Tiny organisms that live in soil and water but not fall in category of microorganisms are viruses and prions.
• Virus: A virus is a small parasite that cannot reproduce by itself. Once it infects a susceptible cell, however, a virus can direct the cell machinery to produce more viruses. Most viruses have either RNA or DNA as their genetic material. Most viruses do not respond to changes in the environment, which is a definitive trait for living organisms. Viruses can replicate themselves only by infecting a host cell. They therefore cannot reproduce on their own.
• Prions: Prions are infectious agent. They are proteins that are folded abnormally (folding is a property of proteins enabling them to take on a shape that is critical for their function), and which can convert normally folded proteins to abnormally folded ones.
Regards