"Does all life on Earth share a common single-celled ancestor? If so, what is it called? "
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Question
How did viruses originate?
No one knows how viruses originated. Indeed, there is some dispute as to whether viruses are even alive since they require a host cell to reproduce or to perform most of their biochemical functions. Some scientists have suggested that the first life forms might have been similar to the viruses. It is more likely, however, that viruses evolved from the population of microbes, as core genetic material that is capable in its inert form of being dried or frozen, but which retains the ability to "come to life" when it invades a suitable host cell.
David Morrison
NAI Senior Scientist
March 29, 2005
- How frequently are questions answered?
- I asked a question but there was no answer?
- Who is the Astrobiologist answering these questions?
- Will I get an email when my question is answered?
- What college courses should I take to become an astrobiologist?
- How can I get a job as an astrobiologist at NASA?
- Have aliens visited Earth? Are UFOs real?
- Is there a planet or brown dwarf called Nibiru or Eris that is approaching the Earth and threatening our planet with widespread destruction?
- Is it true that the Sun will be in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy in December 2012 and that this will cause a pole shift and massive destruction.
- Has NASA discovered life on other worlds?
- Astrobiology Career Path Suggestions
