What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?
$begingroup$
Warning: I have almost no knowledge of biology past the high school level.
Viruses generally have three components: the DNA, the virus protein coat, and an outer membrane "decorated" with these surface marker glycoproteins. I am thinking that a virus would want to infect as many hosts as possible, so that it would reproduce as much as possible, why would a virus just infect one group of organisms.
What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?
evolution virology
edited 5 hours ago
Remi.b
58.4k8108194
asked 6 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
16518
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Warning: I have almost no knowledge of biology past the high school level.
Viruses generally have three components: the DNA, the virus protein coat, and an outer membrane "decorated" with these surface marker glycoproteins. I am thinking that a virus would want to infect as many hosts as possible, so that it would reproduce as much as possible, why would a virus just infect one group of organisms.
What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?
evolution virology
edited 5 hours ago
Remi.b
58.4k8108194
asked 6 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
16518
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Tell me if there are issues with this question, I will reply as soon as possible
$endgroup$
– JavaScriptCoder
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Warning: I have almost no knowledge of biology past the high school level.
Viruses generally have three components: the DNA, the virus protein coat, and an outer membrane "decorated" with these surface marker glycoproteins. I am thinking that a virus would want to infect as many hosts as possible, so that it would reproduce as much as possible, why would a virus just infect one group of organisms.
What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?
evolution virology
edited 5 hours ago
Remi.b
58.4k8108194
asked 6 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
16518
$endgroup$
Warning: I have almost no knowledge of biology past the high school level.
Viruses generally have three components: the DNA, the virus protein coat, and an outer membrane "decorated" with these surface marker glycoproteins. I am thinking that a virus would want to infect as many hosts as possible, so that it would reproduce as much as possible, why would a virus just infect one group of organisms.
What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?
evolution virology
evolution virology
edited 5 hours ago
Remi.b
58.4k8108194
asked 6 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
16518
edited 5 hours ago
Remi.b
58.4k8108194
asked 6 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
16518
edited 5 hours ago
Remi.b
58.4k8108194
edited 5 hours ago
Remi.b
58.4k8108194
edited 5 hours ago
Remi.b
58.4k8108194
58.4k8108194
asked 6 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
16518
asked 6 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
16518
asked 6 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
16518
16518
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Tell me if there are issues with this question, I will reply as soon as possible
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– JavaScriptCoder
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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Tell me if there are issues with this question, I will reply as soon as possible
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– JavaScriptCoder
6 hours ago
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Tell me if there are issues with this question, I will reply as soon as possible
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– JavaScriptCoder
6 hours ago
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6 hours ago
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2 Answers
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$begingroup$
It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition, predation and other biotic and abiotic factors lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.
When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.
Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).
Somewhat related posts:
- Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?
- Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?
Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment
answered 5 hours ago
Remi.bRemi.b
58.4k8108194
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
$endgroup$
– De Novo
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
$endgroup$
– JavaScriptCoder
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?
answered 48 mins ago
Lauren LoSchiavoLauren LoSchiavo
1
New contributor
Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition, predation and other biotic and abiotic factors lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.
When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.
Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).
Somewhat related posts:
- Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?
- Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?
Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment
answered 5 hours ago
Remi.bRemi.b
58.4k8108194
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
$endgroup$
– De Novo
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
$endgroup$
– JavaScriptCoder
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition, predation and other biotic and abiotic factors lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.
When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.
Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).
Somewhat related posts:
- Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?
- Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?
Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment
answered 5 hours ago
Remi.bRemi.b
58.4k8108194
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
$endgroup$
– De Novo
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
$endgroup$
– JavaScriptCoder
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition, predation and other biotic and abiotic factors lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.
When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.
Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).
Somewhat related posts:
- Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?
- Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?
Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment
answered 5 hours ago
Remi.bRemi.b
58.4k8108194
$endgroup$
It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition, predation and other biotic and abiotic factors lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.
When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.
Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).
Somewhat related posts:
- Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?
- Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?
Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment
answered 5 hours ago
Remi.bRemi.b
58.4k8108194
edited 18 mins ago
answered 5 hours ago
Remi.bRemi.b
58.4k8108194
answered 5 hours ago
Remi.bRemi.b
58.4k8108194
answered 5 hours ago
Remi.bRemi.b
58.4k8108194
58.4k8108194
1
$begingroup$
Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
$endgroup$
– De Novo
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
$endgroup$
– JavaScriptCoder
4 hours ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
$endgroup$
– De Novo
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
$endgroup$
– JavaScriptCoder
4 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
$endgroup$
– De Novo
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
$endgroup$
– De Novo
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
$endgroup$
– JavaScriptCoder
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
$endgroup$
– JavaScriptCoder
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?
answered 48 mins ago
Lauren LoSchiavoLauren LoSchiavo
1
New contributor
Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?
answered 48 mins ago
Lauren LoSchiavoLauren LoSchiavo
1
New contributor
Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?
answered 48 mins ago
Lauren LoSchiavoLauren LoSchiavo
1
New contributor
Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?
answered 48 mins ago
Lauren LoSchiavoLauren LoSchiavo
1
New contributor
Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 48 mins ago
Lauren LoSchiavoLauren LoSchiavo
1
New contributor
Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 48 mins ago
Lauren LoSchiavoLauren LoSchiavo
1
answered 48 mins ago
Lauren LoSchiavoLauren LoSchiavo
1
1
New contributor
Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Tell me if there are issues with this question, I will reply as soon as possible
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