On the Importance of ATP Energy in Biology with Regard to Viruses

Abstract

Even today in light of the pandemic spread of the corona virus COVID 19, the debate amongst biologists which concerns whether viruses are alive or not still remains unresolved. This, however, revolves around the argument that viruses cannot produce their own adenosine triphosphate molecule (ATP) through metabolism and, therefore, must rely on other living microorganisms that can produce it in order to access the energy that ATP provides upon hydrolysis. It is mainly on account of this distinction that viruses are relegated to an ill-defined area that separates living things from nonliving things. Nevertheless, apparently viruses possess an inherent capacity that enables them to cross this invisible dividing line in order to link up with the ATP molecule through which they sustain their activities. The following presents a review of these issues with regard to microbiology, biochemistry and physics.