🏁 Short Generation Time: Humans have a generation time of about 25 years. Imagine waiting 25 years for a new iPhone! Viruses, on the other hand, can reproduce in under an hour. This means more generations and more chances for change.
🎲 High Mutation Rates: Think of mutations like typos when you're texting. We all make them! Viruses, especially RNA ones like coronaviruses, make a lot of typos when copying their genetic code. No auto-correct here!
💪 Intense Natural Selection: The human body is like a fortress with guards (antibodies) that detect and eliminate intruders (viruses). But if a virus wears a different hat (changes its antigens), it can sneak past. This "survival of the sneakiest" means rapid evolution.

Influenza vs. human immune system 🤧 vs. 🛡️

What it is: The flu virus is like a secret agent with 8 different ID cards (RNA molecules). And just like in spy movies, sometimes these agents swap IDs, resulting in a new virus strain.
The Costume Trick: Influenza has two proteins (haemagglutinin and neuraminidase) that act as disguises. If they change, the virus can go undetected. Spanish flu = H1N1 disguise, Hong Kong flu = H3N2 disguise.
Why yearly vaccines? Due to this quick change in disguise, we need new flu vaccines every year.

HIV - the master of mutation 🎭

Mutation Machine: HIV uses a tool called reverse transcriptase which is, unfortunately, not very accurate. Plus, our own body's enzyme (cytidine deaminase) can cause the virus to mutate more.
Hide & Seek with Immune System: Most mutations harm HIV, but some help it hide better, making it hard for our immune system to catch.
Drug Resistance: HIV is like that kid in class who always has a new trick up their sleeve. It can become resistant to drugs, so doctors use a combo of treatments.

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Biology SL

510 words

3 mins read

Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

🏁 Short Generation Time: Humans have a generation time of about 25 years. Imagine waiting 25 years for a new iPhone! Viruses, on the other hand, can reproduce in under an hour. This means more generations and more chances for change.
🎲 High Mutation Rates: Think of mutations like typos when you're texting. We all make them! Viruses, especially RNA ones like coronaviruses, make a lot of typos when copying their genetic code. No auto-correct here!
💪 Intense Natural Selection: The human body is like a fortress with guards (antibodies) that detect and eliminate intruders (viruses). But if a virus wears a different hat (changes its antigens), it can sneak past. This "survival of the sneakiest" means rapid evolution.

What it is: The flu virus is like a secret agent with 8 different ID cards (RNA molecules). And just like in spy movies, sometimes these agents swap IDs, resulting in a new virus strain.
The Costume Trick: Influenza has two proteins (haemagglutinin and neuraminidase) that act as disguises. If they change, the virus can go undetected. Spanish flu = H1N1 disguise, Hong Kong flu = H3N2 disguise.
Why yearly vaccines? Due to this quick change in disguise, we need new flu vaccines every year.

Mutation Machine: HIV uses a tool called reverse transcriptase which is, unfortunately, not very accurate. Plus, our own body's enzyme (cytidine deaminase) can cause the virus to mutate more.
Hide & Seek with Immune System: Most mutations harm HIV, but some help it hide better, making it hard for our immune system to catch.
Drug Resistance: HIV is like that kid in class who always has a new trick up their sleeve. It can become resistant to drugs, so doctors use a combo of treatments.

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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