Prions, infectious protein particles, can induce conformational changes in normal proteins, leading to diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. While exhibiting self-propagation, prions lack genetic material. Do prions challenge the conventional definition of living organisms, and why?
No, because they are composed of organic molecules.
Yes, because they lack heritable genetic material yet exhibit a form of 'reproduction'.
No, because they interact with living organisms.
Yes, because they cause disease.
Related Questions
Which of the following set of organisms reproduce by fragmentation (asexual mode of reproduction)?
Amoeba, fungi and earthworm
Fungi, filamentous algae and protonema of mosses
Hydra, fungi, Amoeba and bacteria
Earthworm, bacteria and fungi
Reproduction is synonymous with growth in which of the following set of organisms?
Bacteria, unicellular algae and Amoeba
Bacteria, Amoeba and fungi
Unicellular algae and fungi
Unicellular algae and filamentous algae
Which of the following are considered as the twin characteristics of growth?
I. Responses to stimuli
II. Increases in mass
III. Increases in the number of individuals
IV. Increases in width
I and II
II and IV
I and III
III and IV
Which of the Following organism do not reproduce?
Mules
Sterile worker bees
Sterile human couple
All of the above
What is illustrated by the statement ‘Nothing lives forever, yet life continues’?
Metabolism
Embryogenesis
Reproduction
Replication
Prions, infectious protein particles, can induce conformational changes in normal proteins, leading to diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. While exhibiting self-propagation, prions lack genetic material. Do prions challenge the conventional definition of living organisms, and why?
No, because they are composed of organic molecules.
Yes, because they lack heritable genetic material yet exhibit a form of 'reproduction'.
No, because they interact with living organisms.
Yes, because they cause disease.
Viruses exhibit characteristics of both living and non-living entities. Which of the following properties of viruses MOST strongly supports the argument AGAINST their classification as living organisms?
Presence of genetic material (DNA or RNA)
Ability to evolve and adapt to their environment
Inability to reproduce independently outside a host cell
Specific interaction with host cells
Among the following choose the properties shown by the living organism exclusively?
I. growth
II. increase in mass
III. self-replication ability
IV. response to touch stimuli
I and II
II and IV
I and III
III and IV
A scientist discovers a novel entity exhibiting complex organic molecules, compartmentalization, and energy transformation. However, it lacks a definitive cellular structure and doesn't demonstrate heritability. Which characteristic of life is MOST definitively absent in this entity?
Metabolism
Reproduction and growth
Adaptation
Response to stimuli
A researcher observes an isolated system containing complex organic molecules undergoing spontaneous self-assembly into membrane-bound structures. These structures exhibit rudimentary metabolism but no reproduction or heritability. Which characteristic of life is the MOST significant barrier preventing these structures from being classified as living organisms?
Metabolism
Cellular organization
Reproduction and growth
Adaptation
