Virus

[EternalOptimist]

When I was at school, I was taught that a virus is either the simplest life form on the planet, or the most complex molecule on the planet, and biologists coulnt agree on which it was.
Do we have any biologists in the congregation who can share the latest thinking ?

[ThomasSoerensen]

When I was at school, I was taught that a virus is either the simplest life form on the planet, or the most complex molecule on the planet, and biologists coulnt agree on which it was.
Do we have any biologists in the congregation who can share the latest thinking ?

Bill Bryson describes a virus as "aren't themselves alive" on page 385 in A short history of nearly everything.

[NoddY]

Bill Bryson describes a virus as "aren't themselves alive" on page 385 in A short history of nearly everything.

I think this is because they have no metabolism - they use that of their host. A lifeform is described as requiring a metabolism.