Answer by Diane Eager. Coronaviruses are named after their appearance as a round blob surrounded by a garland or crown of knobs. “Corona” means “crown” as in “coronation”. They consist of a package of genetic material and proteins surrounded by a membrane, with club shaped protein spikes protruding from its surface. The protein spikes form […]
The original question was: The plague numbers of Australian rabbits originally exposed to the myxoma virus had a mortality rate up to 99% in some areas. Over generations rabbits have gained resistance to the virus and their mortality rate has dropped to almost insignificance. Studies have shown that the virus has also changed to become […]
Answer by Diane Eager Antibiotic resistance is regularly presented as proof of evolution in school courses and to the general public, and hardly a week goes by without some health experts warning us about “superbugs” evolving resistance to antibiotics. Scientists have also carried out experiments where they expose bacteria to gradually increasing amounts of antibiotics […]
Following our publication of a question and answer on Lenski’s E. coli experiment we received a request for further information. We suggest you first read the original question: Bacteria Evolution? Lenski’s E coli experiment: Has it shown bacteria can evolve new information? Answer here by Diane Eager Follow up questions were: Why do you use […]
The original question was: I have been advised to have another “flu shot” because the flu virus is evolving, so I am no longer immune through last year’s shot. Also, how come people can get swine flu or bird flu if it has not evolved? Answer by Diane Eager The Influenza A virus certainly does […]
The original question was: I was wondering, has there ever been a documented mutation that produced a completely brand new function in an organism that wasn’t there before. I know that there have been a very small amount of beneficial mutations, but every example I’ve seen involves getting something broken. Answer by Diane Eager Since […]
The resistance is real, but is it evolution?
The bacteria changed, but did they evolve?
Is body waste a bad thing?
When did these diseases enter the human race?