Re: viruses:a new biology?
- From: Lorentz <drosen0000@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:44:09 -0500 (EST)
On Feb 15, 12:14 pm, Prashant <prashant.soh...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
i started thinking on this when i recalled the reasons why mars is at
present, unfit for life: unsuitable atmosphere, no water, etc.
But my argument is that the presence of water and oxygen is nodoubt
essential for the survival of "our" kind of biological species. there
may be some other kind of biology, which can sustain without water and
oxygen!
In other words: chemicals like carbohydrates, proteins, dna etc are
the building blocks of all species on earth. Who knows, some other
building blocks may comprise a completely new species-in fact, a
species which we wont be able to fit in our scheme of biological
knowledge!
....and i believe we've already encountered such a species: viruses.
True, they have DNA or RNA, but still its a fact that they dont behave
the way "our biology" predicts they should.
what do you say? are viruses really so-called Biological aliens, with
a completely different origin?
I don't think so. I don't think behavior would identify a
biological alien, since on our world behavior evvolves faster than
biochemistry (generally). Any behavioral similarity is likely to be a
behavioral analog, not a a behavioral homolog.
This would be especially true for parasites like viruses. In order
to be a parasite, the preparasite would have to fool the hosts
autoimmune system. It couldn't do that unless there was already a
similarity in biochemistry. A similarity in biochemistry would be
required as a sort of preadaption. Therefore, I don't think viruses
are phylogenetic aliens.
Currently, viruses can't live without full cells supporting
them. The cells perform all the metabolic functions for them, as well
performing all the functions necessary for reproducing their DNA or
RNA. Furthermore, the viruses do have the same biochemistry as the
full cells. They use the same amino acids, and the same nucleic
acids.
Consider a higher level of physiology. A dolphin is not a fish
just because it swims like a fish. When you look at the anatomy and
physiology of a dolphin, it looks very different from a fish. That is
what makes the dolphin an "alien fish." Or as we call them, aquatic
mammals.
.
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