Professor Nick Cutter (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
itsananomaly) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2024-03-11 08:15 pm
itsananomaly) wrote in fandomhigh2024-03-11 08:15 pm
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Introduction to Paleobiology - Monday, 1st Period
“Good morning,” Cutter began that day’s lecture, “this week we’re going to be looking at paleovirology,” he explained, “paleovirology is the study of viruses that existed in the past but are extinct and they cannot leave behind physical fossils,”
“This is where we use indirect evidence to reconstruct the past, viruses can cause their host to evolve and that this evolution leaves signatures that can be found and interpreted in present day, “ he nodded over at Connor with a smile for him to continue the lecture.
Connor was glad to be back at class after having a few weeks off. He smiled at Cutter as he stood up and faced the class as he continued the lecture. “Have you ever wondered why a different strain of flu virus comes around every year? Or how some viruses can become drug-resistant? The short answer to these questions is that viruses evolve. That is, the "gene pool" of a virus population can change over time. In some cases, the viruses in a population—such as all the flu viruses in a geographical region, or all the different ‘mutated’ particles in a patient's body—may evolve by natural selection.”
Connor glanced at his notes and then continued. “Not only do viruses evolve, but they also tend to evolve faster than their hosts, such as humans. That makes virus evolution an important topic—not just for biologists who study viruses, but also for doctors, nurses, and public health workers, as well as anyone who might be exposed to a virus. And of course this means, all of us! What we can deduce from the DNA and fossils of animals we find can help us understand how viruses evolved millions of years ago and how that can help us better fight viruses today.” Connor looked at Cutter and gave a small nod as he wrapped up his section.
“For the rest of the class, I’d like you to fill out your worksheets and as always myself and Mr. Temple will be around to answer any questions you may have,” Cutter said as he finished handing out the worksheets on the topic.
“This is where we use indirect evidence to reconstruct the past, viruses can cause their host to evolve and that this evolution leaves signatures that can be found and interpreted in present day, “ he nodded over at Connor with a smile for him to continue the lecture.
Connor was glad to be back at class after having a few weeks off. He smiled at Cutter as he stood up and faced the class as he continued the lecture. “Have you ever wondered why a different strain of flu virus comes around every year? Or how some viruses can become drug-resistant? The short answer to these questions is that viruses evolve. That is, the "gene pool" of a virus population can change over time. In some cases, the viruses in a population—such as all the flu viruses in a geographical region, or all the different ‘mutated’ particles in a patient's body—may evolve by natural selection.”
Connor glanced at his notes and then continued. “Not only do viruses evolve, but they also tend to evolve faster than their hosts, such as humans. That makes virus evolution an important topic—not just for biologists who study viruses, but also for doctors, nurses, and public health workers, as well as anyone who might be exposed to a virus. And of course this means, all of us! What we can deduce from the DNA and fossils of animals we find can help us understand how viruses evolved millions of years ago and how that can help us better fight viruses today.” Connor looked at Cutter and gave a small nod as he wrapped up his section.
“For the rest of the class, I’d like you to fill out your worksheets and as always myself and Mr. Temple will be around to answer any questions you may have,” Cutter said as he finished handing out the worksheets on the topic.
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