Question

Which are considered as the interlink between living and non living organisms

Answer 1

Viruses are considered as the interlink between living and non-living organisms.

They show both living and non-living characteristics.

 

Features of living organisms

They are made up of a single strand of genetic information which is encased in a protein capsule. They become active after entering the host and display the properties of living organisms like reacting to the environment and self replication. In this way, they pass on genetic information to the future generations.

 

Features of non-living organisms

Viruses do not have the biosynthetic machinery which is necessary for reproduction. The viruses cannot replicate if there is no host cell and behave like non-living organisms. At such a time the viruses are like static organic particles and no internal biological activities take place within them.

Viruses can be purified and crystallized like chemical substances. 

Answer 2

The correct answer is - Viruses.

Viruses are considered as the connecting link and the borderline in between living organisms and non-living things. This is because the viruses possess features and characteristics that are similar to living organisms and non-living substances in many ways.

Living features:
They are composed of a single strand of genetic information encased within a protein capsule.On entering the appropriate host, the virus becomes active and displays properties typified by living organisms, such as reacting to its environment and directing its efforts toward self-replication They are thus able to pass on genetic information to future generations.

Non-living features:

Viruses lack most of the internal structure and machinery which characterize 'life', including the biosynthetic machinery that is necessary for reproduction. Without a suitable host cell, the virus is unable to replicate and behaves like a non-living structure. During this time there are no internal biological activities occurring within the virus, and therefore, the virus is no more than a static organic particle. In order for a virus to replicate it must infect a suitable host cell. It may even be purified and crystallized like chemical substances.