Ebola is a RNA virus (Preston 64). RNA viruses mutate more often than DNA viruses, allowing them to evolve quickly with so much variation in the RNA viruses. Some researchers think RNA viruses are older than DNA viruses because of RNA’s simplicity when compared to DNA. RNA viruses attach themselves to the host DNA with reverse transcriptase to make viral DNA. The simple code of Ebola’s RNA allows it to infect various parts of the body, while other viruses are restricted to one part of the host, such as the muscular, reproductive, or nervous system. The Ebola virus infects apes, monkeys, and all other primates because of their similar DNA. Ebola contains only 7 different proteins: three are “vaguely understood” (Preston 50) and the other four are unknown. One small change in Ebola’s RNA can change one protein, and multiple changes can create different versions of the same virus, leading to the variation in the Ebola virus. The Ebola virus appears to stay in its infected home, and does not travel by air. The lack of transportation forces the virus to make the host explode upon death in an attempt to spread to the nearest things in the host’s area. Viruses are also differentiated by their capsule, and the capsules affect how the virus spreads.
Preston, R. (1994). The hot zone. New York, New York: Random House.
To add to Angel's answer, the reason why RNA viruses are much quicker to infect than DNA viruses is because DNA viruses actually depends on the replication of the host cell as a whole. Without host cell replication, the virus can not spread. Unlike DNA viruses, RNA viruses do not depend on host cell replication, unfortunately. They actually embed themselves in the host DNA and skip replication and decoding of the host cell: "Several RNA viruses instill the RNA to the host cell and skip the DNA host for duplication and decoding" (Ian F.). With this advantage, all the RNA virus depends on is the replication of it's codes, which are proteins that serve for the virus. Then after replicating it's proteins, it takes over the host cell. This is much faster than waiting for the host cell to go through mitosis.
Yes, it is true that retroviruses evolve more quickly due to the abundant numbers in which a virus replicates However, it is highly to important to distinguish viruses for another reason, how well they can jump on to other species of organisms and how potent they can become. For example, due to retroviruses being able to mutate, variate, and evolve more quickly. This essentially leads to the significance a virus has upon affecting say the human population. Due to their state as an obligate intracellular parasite and their evolution, the more common mutations occur, the more they will jump species. Researchers have already taken into account many other viruses, like avian viruses “as sources of the next human pandemic” (Brown, 2014). Distinguishing viruses can lead to action taking place a lot more sooner, in order to prevent escalation of the disease.
Brown, K. (14, August 13). How a virus spreads from animals to humans. Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/How-a-virus-spreads-from-animals-to-humans-4729807.php
Ebola is a RNA virus (Preston 64). RNA viruses mutate more often than DNA viruses, allowing them to evolve quickly with so much variation in the RNA viruses. Some researchers think RNA viruses are older than DNA viruses because of RNA’s simplicity when compared to DNA. RNA viruses attach themselves to the host DNA with reverse transcriptase to make viral DNA. The simple code of Ebola’s RNA allows it to infect various parts of the body, while other viruses are restricted to one part of the host, such as the muscular, reproductive, or nervous system. The Ebola virus infects apes, monkeys, and all other primates because of their similar DNA. Ebola contains only 7 different proteins: three are “vaguely understood” (Preston 50) and the other four are unknown. One small change in Ebola’s RNA can change one protein, and multiple changes can create different versions of the same virus, leading to the variation in the Ebola virus. The Ebola virus appears to stay in its infected home, and does not travel by air. The lack of transportation forces the virus to make the host explode upon death in an attempt to spread to the nearest things in the host’s area. Viruses are also differentiated by their capsule, and the capsules affect how the virus spreads.
ReplyDeletePreston, R. (1994). The hot zone. New York, New York: Random House.
To add to Angel's answer, the reason why RNA viruses are much quicker to infect than DNA viruses is because DNA viruses actually depends on the replication of the host cell as a whole. Without host cell replication, the virus can not spread. Unlike DNA viruses, RNA viruses do not depend on host cell replication, unfortunately. They actually embed themselves in the host DNA and skip replication and decoding of the host cell: "Several RNA viruses instill the RNA to the host cell and skip the DNA host for duplication and decoding" (Ian F.). With this advantage, all the RNA virus depends on is the replication of it's codes, which are proteins that serve for the virus. Then after replicating it's proteins, it takes over the host cell. This is much faster than waiting for the host cell to go through mitosis.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true that retroviruses evolve more quickly due to the abundant numbers in which a virus replicates However, it is highly to important to distinguish viruses for another reason, how well they can jump on to other species of organisms and how potent they can become. For example, due to retroviruses being able to mutate, variate, and evolve more quickly. This essentially leads to the significance a virus has upon affecting say the human population. Due to their state as an obligate intracellular parasite and their evolution, the more common mutations occur, the more they will jump species. Researchers have already taken into account many other viruses, like avian viruses “as sources of the next human pandemic” (Brown, 2014). Distinguishing viruses can lead to action taking place a lot more sooner, in order to prevent escalation of the disease.
DeleteBrown, K. (14, August 13). How a virus spreads from animals to humans. Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/How-a-virus-spreads-from-animals-to-humans-4729807.php