Biology
Unit 1: Life Traits
Names: ______________________________
Date ______________Pd: 1 8
It’s ALIVE! Or is it?
What does it mean to be considered a living
thing? What traits or characteristics would you
look
for to determine if an object is living or non-living? What is it that sets living things apart? A long
standing debate in the scientific community is whether to consider Viruses as living things.
Viruses are all around us and have been present on Earth since its formation 4.6 billion years
ago. The oceans are teeming with viruses and it is theorized that viruses play a significant role
in evolutionary processes on our planet. Some scientists consider them aliens because viruses
have been found embedded in meteorites.
Your task is to use at least three websites listed below to gather information about viruses.
Based on the information you read on the sites and the life traits we discussed in class,
determine whether you believe viruses are living or nonliving. As you read information from the
websites, record evidence to support whatever decision you arrive at in this great debate.
Are viruses Alive? YES or NO
(circle one)
Websites to use:
1.
2.
3.
4.
are viruses alive?
Scientific American
Sparknotes - viruses traits
What is a Virus?
Questions to address:
1. Use the RREACHNGO acronym to find evidence as to whether Viruses are living.
2. Record evidence found for each part of RREACHNGO in the space provided on the
back. Record which website above provided the evidence or a different one that you
found.
3. On a separate sheet of paper, explain your choice as to whether viruses are living or
not living based on the evidence you collected. You must use evidence from at least
three sources to support your choice (cite the websites you used).
Adapted from Mrs. Denicola – are viruses alive?
Evidence from Virus research – remember to record which website you used 1,2,3,or 4
Reproduction:
Response:
Energy use:
Adaptations (traits and ability to evolve):
Cells:
Homeostasis:
Nucleic Acids:
Growth & Development:
Organization: