Biology 1001A Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Mutation Rate, Thymidine, Zygosity
10 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Evolution concerns with the patterns of life. Viruses are not on the tree of life. Viruses evolve (have evolutionary histories), and have their own genetic information. One hypothesis: are viruses cell based life that lost its independent metabolism: one that stripped down. Second: mobile genetic element gained ability to enter/exit cells. One origin or many origin for viruses. Some parts with higher prevalence rate (eg canada less than 1%), compared to botswana (28-40%) Transmitted from chimpanzee host to human host about 100 years ago. Based on gene sequence change, can extrapolate time when it jumped the species barrier. More than 12 independent spillovers from chimps. In general, antiviral drugs have worst side effects than antibacterials, antifungals. Viruses are obligate parasites e. g. no cell wall to attack like with bacteria. Good and bad news about retroviruses (such as hiv) Usuaslly: dna replication, transcription, and translation (central dogma of molecular biology)
