What is the role of viruses on planet Earth?

by Ivor W. Hartmann

Viruses from the Latin "virus" meaning poison undoubtedly occupies a crucial role in the earth's biosphere. Yet they defy solid explanation by modern science and there is some question as to whether they are living organis...read more

by Violet Fortune

Viruses serve as carriers of genetic information, transferring genes from one species to another (a process known as "gene jumping"). You might say that viruses are dispatchers of genetic information, like the pony express...read more

by Jacquie Schmall

A virus is an "obligate intracellular parasite". It can only replicate itself by getting through a living cell membrane to the nuclear material within, and utilizing it to reproduce copies of itself. It's an incredible pr...read more

by visphilos

Viruses role in Earth's ecosystem may be aiding in the diversification of the genome, as agents of "horizontal gene transfer" (HGT)[1]. Viruses can infect all forms of life (bacteria, plants, protozoa, fungi, insects, ...read more

by Chris Kovach

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 cellul...read more

by Laura Weiland

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 Viruses are an organism which can be both harmful and helpful. They have existed since the solar system developed. Generally people think of viruses as a bad thing. Something which cau...read more

by jf

Any person who has taken graduate courses in marine science knows that viruses are an important part of our ecosystem. The majority of viruses are harmful. Since not much money is devoted to understanding what viruses hel...read more

by Rex Coker

Virus /phage ,venom ,poison . Viruses in the Earths ecosystems cause major problems in the phytoplankton regions of our ecosystems . They impregnate , kill and become new strains in the evolution of life . The good viruses...read more

by Yunfei Han

viruses are essential in the role they play of the bigger ecosystem. all living things have an important role to play although there are doubts on whether viruses are living or non-living since they cannot reproduce on the...read more

by S.W.R Nishantha

I am from sri lanka. my country is very beautiful. I work as data entry operator in government office. i would like to do part time online job. I can work hard . I am the guarding to my family any one can help me to conta...read more

by Jennifer Sanders

Anything that can affect the world as a whole is should be concerning. I am a firm believer that cures to all aliments are located here on our earth; either in the natural forests (whats left of them) and of course the oce...read more

by Nathan Knaub

The role of viruses on top of meteors, comets, and asteroids makes the earth's ecosystem a ticking time bomb. Whether they are communicable or non-communicable, viruses are spread easily and can be very potent if contracte...read more

by Imants Teobalds

I have it from a reliable source that no one really knows whether organic, non-organic, conventional or unconventional foods are the direct cause of illness and disease. The wise man admits he does not know. Until any of...read more