Ancient Viruses: Article Analysis

In the article “Are Viruses Alive?,” Luis P. Villarreal discusses the effects of viruses on life, while presenting different angles as to whether or not they are alive themselves and arguing about the impact viruses have had on evolution. Through a deeper understanding of viruses and their functions, the scientific community may come to fully appreciate viruses, whether they are living or non-living in themselves, as significant evolutionary components.

To properly study the pathogens of the past, Warinner explained the different ways this is possible. The first is by extracting human DNA from ancient bones to recreate the human genome. With this process the goal is to highlight changes that result from risk factors, adaptations and inherited diseases. She then stated, “The most important health challenges today are not caused by simple mutations in our genome, but rather result from a complex and dynamic interplay between genetic variation, diet, microbes and parasites and our immune response” (Warinner). Because we live in a completely different environment today than the environment where our bodies

Humans were once infected by ancient viruses, but today, 8% of human DNA contains these ancient viruses

also the healthy cells such as the hair follicles which are the fastest growing cells in your body.

Throughout the history, humankind has confronted with numerous infections from smallpox to influenza. These viruses slaughtered such a variety of honest individuals. As innovation continues showing signs of improvement, scientists discover new things and even, create a new strain of mutated virus coincidentally. One of these researchers is, Dutch Ron Fouchier who is known for creating a strain of H5N1 "bird flu" virus. In spite of the fact that he had no evil expectation to make such thing, this strain can possibly wipe most humankind off the world and as well as saving society from much more regrettable viruses that can come up later on. This creation has caused controversy in the scientific world. While it's critical to distribute Fouchier's

On October fourth this year, Carl Zimmer had published an article called “Ancient Viruses Are Buried in Your DNA” for the New York Times. Stumbling across this article can easy grasp ones attention. Zimmer introduces the finding of a protein called “Hemo” that scientist have been recently researching. It is created by the fetus and the placenta that is produced from viral DNA. Researchers explain that this protein had entered our ancestors’ genomes 100 million years ago. The Hemo was reported in July that a “strange protein courses through the veins of a pregnant woman”. What made it come about? What will this alien orginated protein do? No one is completely positive as the research continues.

In the article, Carl Zimmer makes some really good points. Most people don’t think about fighting viruses with DNA. I surely wouldn’t. Zimmer’s explanation of it was “[It is] microscopic protein shell holding a few genes that hijack a cell’s internal machinery, forcing it to make new viruses.” Zimmer refers to the viruses in our bodies as aliens, which I think is really neat. “We use DNA from viruses to do things that are essential to our own survival, scientist are finding.” DNA from viruses are used to make vaccines and help the human race as a whole. Also, our immune system is created by having parts of that DNA from the virus in our system. According to the article, a lot of these viruses get passed down from generation to generation and

Viruses are not usually considered living things because they lack characteristics of living things. Viruses are biological particles composed of nucleic acid and a protein coat. Viruses are not alive and should not be considered a living organism. The reasons include that a virus cannot reproduce; they do not obtain energy, and technically cannot live without a host. Reproduction is one of the biggest essentials of life. Also if an organism cant obtain or make energy it also is classified as non-living. If a virus has no host then it has no ability to reproduce or to live. Furthermore a virus should not be considered a living organism because it lacks these traits.

Deeply hurt at Kings, Rosalind left in 1953 for another lab, at Birkbeck College. In the new lab she began working on the structure of some viruses. In Birkbeck college, she was once more in a professional environment in which she felt respected and supported. She did very important research on viruses which included polio. Franklin used x-ray diffraction to figure out the structure of tobacco mosaic virus which was the first virus to be identified. Franklin also pioneered research on the polio virus and her team continued to work on this during her illness, producing over 10 papers during 1956 and 1957 just before her death. Tobacco mosaic virus causes tobacco leaves to curl and discolor in patches. It had been a model for virus studies since

Editing of the human embryo DNA has never been a hot topic until now. With technology and advancement in the science department we are able to edit the DNA of the human embryo. With the editing of the human embryo we are finally able to edit our DNA to make us stronger. “Researchers in China have reported editing the genes of human embryos to try to make them resistant to HIV infection. They also hope the work could lead to new ways to treat infertility and prevent miscarriages. The researchers also believe that it would help scientists learn more about embryonic stem cells so they can someday use them to treat many more diseases. (Callaway).” With this type of advancement we will be able to emmune our body to almost any type of disease that

“The nucleus of every human cell contains ‘46’ chromosomes. Each chromo has a coiled molecule of Deoxyribonucleracid (DNA) and contains about one hundred thousand genes. Every gene is a tiny part of DNA that controls a specific cell function. One thread of DNA molecule is longer than the length of the whole human body. Twined in a double helix, one strand (technique) of DNA carries the genetic code, acting as a template for the formation of the messenger Ribonucleic acid (RNA).”

Polintons (also known as mavericks) are the large DNA transposons (9-22 kb long) that are widely distributed in eukaryotes [85–87]. Recently, it was shown that virophages (parasitic viruses of large DNA viruses) and Polintons, in addition to encoding several key homologous proteins including major and minor capsid proteins, FtsK-type packaging ATPase, protein-primed DNA polymerase B, retroviral-like family integrase and cysteine protease, exhibit similar genomic architecture (Figure A). These observations imply that Polintons and virophages are evolutionarily linked [61]. Although Polintons encode two capsid proteins, their ability to form virions has not been demonstrated.

Viruses are a nuisance for organisms alike yet a rather fascinating part of biology, they can be contracted just by every way possible while possess the ability to kill both plants and animals and in the mild yet common scenario of the annual flus for us humans that literally gives us headaches among other symptoms. One particularly interesting virus is the Varicella Zoster Virus, or VZV. It’s a different version of the virus that can cause herpes with a slightly altered genetic sequence which causes the disease of Chickenpox, what makes it different from its counterpart is that it’s not as serious but what they’re similar in is they both have the characteristics of staying with us for the rest of our lives once we contracted them. This capability comes down to the genetic coding, the programing that allows the VZV virus to stay in us and reactivate in the distant future.

Viruses are microscopic parasites that thrive outside the host body and are able to reproduce. They are about eight times smaller than bacteria (live science). Viruses are known for their ability to infect people and make them sick. Their ability to evolve has let them stay alive through generations. Viruses are considered to be mankind’s deadliest enemy. Due to their ability to evolve, viruses have been able to survive through generations despite scientists and doctors efforts to stop them. Without a host cell, viruses cannot carry out functions or reproduce. They derive their energy from the host cell. (Thesis)

The Human Genome Project has been introduced to us more than twenty-five years from now. It was Initiated and sponsored by the National Human Genome Research Institute, the project was introduced aiming at researching more human genes in order to understand, read genes and find cure for diseases. It guided the medical field to new direction but at the same time created new challenges and problems. The primary objective of the project isn’t wrong or questionable but some believe its implications are. Genes are made of a molecule called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) which contains the instructions for making every protein in the body. By studying and understanding the genome system completely, we will be able to shed some light on how to