Structure and Function of Living Organisms
To the left is an image of a virus. Viruses work by infecting a host cell. Once a virus finds a host, it injects its genetic material into the host in order to reproduce. After a time more of the virus grow inside of the host cell until they grow large enough and burst out of the host. The new viruses then go on to infect new cells.
Viruses are considered to be non-living because they require a cell to reproduce and cannot do so on their own. Because of this it can be vary difficult (and impossible in many cases) to cure a person of a viral disease. The only way to stop viruses is to get people to build up an immunity to them. In order to do this people are usually given small amounts of weakened version of the virus called an immunization (the flu shot is an example of an immunization). This allows your body to recognize the virus in the future so that it can fight it off properly. |
Unlike viruses, bacteria are living things. They are small, single-celled organisms that are everywhere. Even though many types of bacteria are harmless, there are some that can cause disease. Because they are living things it is much easier to address bacterial diseases. Humans have developed many antibiotic medicines that kill off bad bacteria.
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Fungi are living organisms that are neither plant nor animal. They often function as decomposers (meaning they break down dead things) and many are relatively harmless; however, some also cause diseases that are often caused by inhaling or coming into contact with their spores. Fungal diseases are usually treated with antimycotic medicines.
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