 Blog Posts | Viruses as higher order organisms[IMG] The influenza virion (as the infectious particle is called) is roughly spherical. It is an enveloped virus – that is, the outer layer is a lipid membrane which is taken from the host cell in which the virus multiplies. Inserted into the lipid membrane are ‘spikes’, which are proteins – actually glycoproteins, because they consist of protein linked to sugars – known as HA (hemagglutinin) and NA (neuraminidase). These are the proteins that determine the subtype of influenza virus (A/H1N1, for example). We’ll discuss later how the HA and NA are given subtype numbers. The HA and NA are important in the immune response against the virus; antibodies (proteins made by us to combat infection) against these spikes may protect against infection. The NA protein is the target of the antiviral drugs Relenza and Tamiflu. Also embedded in the lipid membrane is the M2 protein, which is the target of the antiviral adamantanes – amantadine and rimantadine. Beneath the lipid membrane is a viral protein called M1, or matrix protein. This protein, which forms a shell, gives strength and rigidity to the lipid envelope. Within the interior of the virion are the viral RNAs – 8 of them for influenza A viruses. These are the genetic material of the virus; they code for one or two proteins. Each RNA segment, as they are called, consists of RNA joined with several proteins shown in the diagram: B1, PB2, PA, NP. These RNA segments are the genes of influenza virus. The interior of the virion also contains another protein called NEP. Above is the conventional analysis of a virus. Now think of it as an organic AI drone, which adapt by using the resources of its environment. that utilization of environmental resources allows for its form and operation to have a versatility in its genetic make-up so that it can 'turn-on-a-dime' in the way it manifests itself. Researchers, aware of this characteristic, are seeking the immunological antidote to this versatility. BUT... What if viruses are conscious sentients, who-for more than just their parasitic consumption on the vulnerable zoology-are an invasion pandemic in their infectiousness? During their vitality in the host organism (much like we humans are to our own ecosystem), their communication network is a telepathic telemetry which unites, consolidates, and processes the innumerable multitude of telemetry into a feedback download upgrade for the next progeny of viruses? Their existence maybe solely for their next metamorphic transcendence, than the manner in which organisms, such as we, exist in a stasis of satiation to the point of degradation and degeneration. WHADDA YA EXPECT FROM DIS OLD DOG OF THE 60's AND 70's BUT THIS KIND OF POTPOURRI THINKING--https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7682170235263078163#allposts  |
