What is a virus?

What is a virus?

A virus is a microscopic particle of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a shell of protein and sometimes a further protective envelope. For all the trouble they cause viruses are tiny things, generally many times smaller than bacteria. But they exist in the trillions and gazillions and whatever word there is for more than the number of stars in the universe.

We are familiar with only a minute number of viruses, but the ones we know we tend not to look upon favorably. HIV, Ebola, smallpox and influenza are all caused by viruses, as is the common cold, viruses are also known to play a role in some cancers as well as other diseases.

A virus reproduces by invading a host cell and “convincing” that cell to replicate the viral DNA rather than the host cell’s own DNA. It does this convincing, not with a tiny conversation,

but with molecules. Molecules have specific ways of combining. Like puzzle pieces some fit together and others don’t.

DNA and RNA are both molecules. Viral DNA (or RNA in some cases) interacts with the DNA of the cell taking over areas where the cell’s DNA would normally fit. It’s as if you had two puzzles with matching shapes but different colors. If the virus can swap enough green pieces for the cell’s own red pieces soon the cell will be green instead of red. If this happens often enough it can prevent the cell from carrying out its normal function. If that happens to enough cells the entire organism will get sick.

Unfortunately, viruses are hard to kill. Since they work inside cells the trick (which has yet to be discovered) is how to kill the virus but not the cell it has infected. That is why antibiotics won’t work on viruses. Bacteria are cells in their own right so they can be isolated (in some cases) and the medicine can be targeted to destroy only the bacteria.

One way to inhibit the virus is to destroy the protein shell surrounding it. As you can imagine this is a ticklish business. A further complication is the sheer amount of variety in viruses. Its not a one size fit all procedure. Scientists have discovered a few antiviral medications, but nothing like the list of antibiotics. That is why vaccinations are generally the best method for dealing with viral infections. Prevent the infection in the first place.

Thanks for reading,
Kate
3/9/2020

If you enjoyed this post perhaps you would also like:

Puppies and Taxes
Is Math Broken? The Problem of Infinity.
What you should know about money.
Introducing the Glorious, Golden, Phi
If this was not your cup of tea perhaps you would prefer these:

Killer Cats
Chickens
Northern Harrier
New Puppy!
If you are terribly picky, or enjoying yourself so much you can’t bear to stop, how about these posts:

Much Ado about Nothing
Climate vs Weather: A Response to Willful Ignorance.
Sunny Ice