The Extraordinary Microscopic World of Viruses
Published by Viruses are more than a hundred times smaller than bacteria and they infect all cellular structures, whether animal, plant, or human. There is a fascinating unseen microscopic world evolving around us all the time.
This minute but amazingly beautiful Symian virus is said to have been the cause of HIV/AIDS in humans. The virus crossed over from monkeys to humans and mutated accordingly.
Image via Wikipedia
There are several different varieties of influenza virus. Both influenza types A and B cause symptoms in humans and may even be fatal. This virus attacks the human respiratory system. The best way to prevent the invasion of the virus is by vaccination because there are a number of different strains, this is not always effective as a defence.
Viruses can affect any living organism. They are often parasites that cannot live independently. They need their host to survive. This is the turnip yellow mosaic virus. It infects the cabbage plant but does not actually attack the cells. It is thought that the virus is transmitted by small mustard and other types of beetle.
The foot and mouth virus causes disease in sheep and cattle. It can infect humans and other animals as well but is best know for the decimation of thousands of sheep and cattle during outbreaks. The last major outbreak in UK devastated the farming industry, cost many thousands of animal lives. In 2008 there were only 8 cases of foot and mouth disease in UK which is a stark contrast to the period between 2002 and 2004.
The marburg virus invades the soft organs of the human body, including the liver and pancreas. The above photograph is taken from an electron microscope view of a liver sample from a sufferer.
This virulent bovine virus has invaded the tongue and lives in deep lesion in the skin. This particular one originated in Morocco and it causes severe diarrhoea in cattle.
The Epstein Barr virus causes glandular fever in humans.
Image via Wikipedia
All viruses infect cellular life and they have their own DNA molecules. They are 100 times smaller than bacteria and come in range of shapes including the helix.
The first known virus was noted by Beijerinck in 1899. To date more that 5000 varieties have been identified and virologists are aware that there are many more to be discovered.
Fortunately, not all viruses cause disease and some reproduce inside cells without causing any harm to the host organism. Some viruses, like the HIV virus continue to multiply inside the cells of the infected organism despite the natural defence mechanisms of the body.
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26 Responses to “The Extraordinary Microscopic World of Viruses”
On March 2, 2009 at 1:16 am
Its very informative article. Thanks for sharing.
On March 2, 2009 at 1:38 am
I didn’t know viruses can be this pretty. I thought fungi was beautiful. They also have sorts of color. Great article. Thanks
On March 2, 2009 at 1:58 am
excelent article.. very informative… it puts a face on the killers..
On March 2, 2009 at 2:36 am
They look beautiful but…
Great article Louie!
On March 2, 2009 at 3:26 am
Very informative article with fantastic pictures. I love the hidden world of microbiology that is all around us and even inside us.
On March 2, 2009 at 4:15 am
Ouch. I know I shouldn’t say this, but the two first ones, even though terrible viruses – actually *look* very pretty.
On March 2, 2009 at 4:25 am
That was excellent! great article abt virus and nicely done. Must read..very informative and nice pics too. Thanks for sharing
On March 2, 2009 at 7:22 am
Wow, this is a great article … actually I was thinking how scary the virus pics look. A couple of them look enticingly pretty, but underneath the covers they are terrors. Great article. I’m stumbling it. Nicely done!
On March 2, 2009 at 7:53 am
Informative and fascinating article maam. Thanks for sharing.
On March 2, 2009 at 7:54 am
Extremely informative article, great pictures too, fascinating stuff.
On March 2, 2009 at 8:31 am
This is really fascinating, and informative article..
On March 2, 2009 at 10:14 am
Incredible pictures and lots of good research.
On March 2, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I was always fascinated with viruses since my childhood when I read about them in a biology class. Thanks for providing this article!
On March 2, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Yes, the first two pics looked like Bren’s fractal art and were too pretty to be so naughty. It’s funny how a vacination can be effective in thwarting the development of a virus; but there isn’t a chemical that can kill it once it has found a host….kind of like bad grammar, eh?
On March 2, 2009 at 6:09 pm
What a kaleidoscope of pretty but deadly pictures! Great info. Thanks. I wonder how many raw garlic would be effective against?
On March 2, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Lovely pictures. I’ve always loved looking at microbiology texts for this reason. Excellent article.
On March 2, 2009 at 7:54 pm
I agree with Anne, the first two are actually pretty. It is a shame that something so devastating can look like coral.
On March 4, 2009 at 2:53 am
Well researched article, beautifully illustrated.
On March 4, 2009 at 3:34 pm
you explained it way better than my biology teacher had! Thanks!
On March 5, 2009 at 9:41 am
It is a shame that these are dangerous…a few are actually pretty. Guess it just proves the old saying looks can be deceiving…
Fascinating information Louie.
On March 5, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Louie, brilliant! I’m stumbling this one. Brian
On March 6, 2009 at 3:53 pm
ew! ew! Supercool! Blogged and stumbled!
http://www.webphemera.com/2009/03/extraordinary-microscopic-world-of.html
On March 7, 2009 at 10:14 am
A fascinating piece on viruses. Although some of the pics made me a little queasy. Something we should all educate ourselves on.
God bless.
On April 5, 2009 at 1:09 am
Fascinating article and photos. How in the world do viruses go about and do things in such an orderly, planned like manner, like having a purpose…
On April 15, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I enjoyed your article very much. There’s one small detail.
The image of the marburg virus, does not represent an electron microscope view, as you described it. That is a photomicrograph taken with a compound light microscope. A tremendous difference in magnification!
I don’t believe my observation will detract from your fine work, please, take this with all my respect.
On June 7, 2010 at 5:11 am
hello,I am a crazy of studying viruses.I think ,I am so glad to see these pictures of viruses .We cannot see any viruses practically because still there is no EM in our country(myanmar).
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