0
HIV has a high mutation rate primarily due to its replication process, which involves the reverse transcription of RNA into DNA. The reverse transcriptase enzyme lacks proofreading capabilities, leading to frequent errors during DNA synthesis. Additionally, the virus replicates rapidly, producing a vast number of copies, which increases the likelihood of mutations. This high variability enables HIV to adapt quickly to immune responses and antiretroviral treatments.
What else can I help you with?
Why are there so many immunological variants of HIV?
HIV mutates rapidly due to the high error rate of its reverse transcriptase enzyme, leading to diverse viral strains. Additionally, immune system pressure selects for variants that can evade detection or control, contributing to the large number of immunological variants of HIV.
Can viruses mutate to infect new species?
Yes, viruses can mutate to infect new species.
How does HIV provide a real life model of evolution?
HIV is known for its high mutation rate, allowing it to evolve rapidly in response to selective pressures such as the immune system or antiviral medications. This continuous evolution in HIV's genetic makeup helps it adapt to new challenges, making it a real-life example of natural selection and evolution in action.
Briefly explain how the mutation that protects some humans from HIV infection arose?
How does mutation that protects some humans from HIV infection arose?
Why does South Africa have such a high birth rate but a negative population growth?
because it has such a high death rate - HIV/ AIDS as well as relatively high child mortality rate
How does the hiv virus mutate?
As with all viruses and living things, random errors occur when HIV replicates its genetic material during reproduction. Changes in the genetic material then change characteristics of the virus, which may help or harm it depending on its environment. HIV is particularly prone to mutation because it is a retrovirus, meaning it carries its genetic material as RNA and reverse transcribes it into DNA when it infects a cell. Reverse transcription has a higher rate of mutation than ordinary DNA or RNA replication.
Why must pharmaceutical companies develop flu vaccines every year?
Influenza is an RNA virus. Being that it is an RNA virus it has a high rate of mutation that goes unchecked. This high rate of mutation leads to different strains of the influenza virus
Why is the HIV rate in Saskatchewan so high?
The HIV rate in Saskatchewan is so high, that it has been declared a public-health state of emergency. The infection rate is almost double what that of the rest of Canada. In certain populations of Saskatchewan, the infection rate is even higher than that of Nigeria. Part of the problem is that the areas HIV strategy expired in 2014, and another has never been developed. This causes issues like babies being born HIV+, even though that is totally preventable. The HIV education level has become so low, that the population has become indifferent to infections.
Can mix race offspring cause genetic mutation which lead to viruses such as HIV?
No, HIV is a communicable disease caused by a virus, not by genetics.
Propose a possible reason why there may be a small percentage of people who have a natural immunity to HIV?
Its known why and is not a possible reason but fact. Its a naturally occurring genetic mutation. HIV seeks out and uses CD4 the protein that covers the T helper cell that HIV infects. The mutation creates a different protein on the T helper cell that HIV is not able to detect. Without binding to T helper cells HIV will wither and die. 4% of Scananavians,3% of western Europeans and sadly 0% of sub-sahran Africans have the mutation.
What is the HIV prevalence rate in Zimbabwe?
The HIV prevalence in adults is about 14.3%
Why is it difficult to vaccine against HIV?
HIV is a very complex, highly changeable virus. Even if it gets killed by the medicines or vaccines, it gets reactivated. Scientists are continuing to make and test HIV vaccines in animals, and even in human subjects.
