• Question: what is a virus?

    Asked by chlozza to Ben, Jony, Mark on 24 Nov 2011.
    • Photo: Jony Hudson

      Jony Hudson answered on 24 Nov 2011:

      A virus is amazing! It’s pretty much just a microscopic strand of DNA in a shell.

      What happens is this DNA hijacks the body’s own system for repairing itself, and so instead of making new cells for the body, your own body starts making new viruses. These viruses spread, and your body then makes even more of them. And some of them get sneezed out and infect other people.

      It’s really the most incredible thing, that something so tiny and simple can hijack our bodies and spread. It’s also amazing that a single virus, only weighing 0.000000000000000001g can make a great big human really ill, or even die!

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