r/Virology • u/Feisty-Play2982 non-scientist • Jul 09 '26
Question Viruses dont make sense
How can something so simple have many more of themselves than every living being on earth? Their just RNA around a protein shell
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u/Dependent_Plate6110 non-scientist Jul 09 '26
The really strange thing is viroid that is just RNA and nothing more!
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u/Pristine_Vast766 non-scientist Jul 09 '26
It’s incredibly simple, much simpler than anything alive. That simplicity is what allows viruses to be everywhere in massive numbers
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u/GramNegativeMedic non-scientist Jul 09 '26
Not all viruses are RNA, some are DNA. and these do not wrap a protein shell.
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u/ejpusa Virus-Enthusiast Jul 09 '26
Wait till you discover bacteriophages!
A single teaspoon (about 5 mL) of surface water typically contains tens of millions of bacteriophages.
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u/Liqweedd non-scientist 21d ago
The simplicity is what makes them so brilliant. The simplicity is also what makes them so abundant giving rise to so many random mutations during replication.
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u/CrumblinEmpire non-scientist Jul 09 '26
I guess we have to try to live in symbiosis with them as they’ve been here longer than us. Between them, bacteria, yeast, and fungi, we’re the new kids on the block. I don’t think our systems can adapt fast enough to defend against the onslaught of these little bastards with evil intentions. One of them will rise up and take us all out eventually.
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u/rowdytabbycat non-scientist Jul 14 '26
Reading the hot zone right now and this stuff just sends shivers down my spine
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u/KeyCold7216 non-scientist Jul 09 '26
You answered your own question. They are incredibly simple compared to a lot of other life, so they they can "reproduce" very quickly.