This Virus Shouldn't Exist (But it Does)
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell・2 minutes read
Microorganisms battle for resources in the microverse, while viruses, despite being non-living, are the most abundant and deadly entities, targeting living organisms. The origin of viruses is still a mystery, with giant viruses like gyruses challenging assumptions and showcasing complex interactions in the microverse.
Insights
- Viruses, though not alive, are the most abundant and lethal entities on Earth, targeting living organisms for colonization, raising questions about their origin and the mystery surrounding their emergence.
- Giant viruses called gyruses have upended traditional views on viruses, possessing intricate genetic structures that challenge the distinction between living and non-living entities, showcasing complex interactions such as virophages hunting gyruses and the potential existence of a gyrus immune system.
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Recent questions
What are some common microorganisms in the microverse?
Amoeba, protists, bacteria, archaea, and fungi are common microorganisms in the microverse, engaging in battles for resources and space.
How do viruses impact living organisms?
Despite not being alive, viruses are the most abundant and deadliest beings on Earth, targeting living things for takeover and killing trillions daily.
What is the origin of viruses?
The origin of viruses remains a mystery, with theories suggesting they may have emerged from different origins multiple times, challenging scientific understanding.
What are giant viruses known as gyruses?
Giant viruses, known as gyruses, have complex structures and possess hundreds or thousands of genes that can alter the physiology and evolution of their victims, blurring the line between living and dead entities.
What are virophages and how do they interact with gyruses?
Virophages are viruses that hunt gyruses, showcasing intricate interactions in the microverse. The potential existence of a gyrus immune system against virophages highlights the complexity of these relationships, still largely unexplored despite recent discoveries.
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