What is the role of a virus in the earths ecosystem.?

To tackle this larger question one must first examine what a virus is. A Virus is only a single strand of DNA or RNA encased by a protein shell. They are not cellular organisms. Hence, many scientist postulate whether or not a virus can be considered alive. This is why I believe viruses are natures way of balancing the life equation, but we'll get to that in a moment.

Now, the only way for a virus to reproduce is to invade a host cell usually destroying the cell. They can not reproduce by themselves! These microscopic parasites invade a host cell, attaching itself to the outside of the cell. Then it inserts its own strand of genetic material into the host cell. This RNA, or DNA controls every aspect of the host cell including reproduction. After the virus replicates itself inside the host cell, it will usually explode, releasing copies of the viral strand. The host cell is killed. If this happens enough times in a larger organism, that organism will expire.

Now if something cant reproduce by itself, it cant survive by itself. So what is their role in are fragile ecosystem. Viruses exist simply to cause disease and death. In fact, the only time anyone hears the word virus it's usually associated with some new outbreak on CNN. Think AIDS, Hepatitis, ect..

Look at the facts, most viruses kill, in every species. Now the question becomes why do they exist? Simply put they balance the equation of life. For something to live something else must die, right? We eat other organism so that we can live. These organisms exist because the of the circle of life. Their has to be a circle or life would exterminate. Nature has many tools at her disposal; hurricanes, tsunamis, tidal waves, tornadoes, bacteria ect. A virus is just another tool in her arsenal.

Take a look at this rough example. A worm eats microscopic organisms in the soil, which feeds off nutrients in the soil. A fish eats the worm, we eat the fish. The fish transmits a virus, most likely a bacteria. The person who ate the fish dies, and is buried. The body decomposes, giving nutrients back to the soil, which are eaten by microscopic organisms. The worms eat the organisms. The fish eats the worm, someone else eats the fish and doesn't die.

Nature provided the VIRUS to, most likely, return organic material back to mother earth. Thus giving back to the circle of live and balancing the equation.

Learn more about this author, Chris Kovach.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about What is the role of viruses on planet Earth??
We want to hear your view. Write now!