Uncommon Descent Serving The Intelligent Design Community

Note to New Scientist: Celeb virus did not evolve, it DEvolved.

Share
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Flipboard
Print
Email

In “World’s largest virus proves giants came from cells” (New Scientist, October 10, 2011), Michael Marshall explains,

The discovery of a megavirus virus is confirmation that giant viruses descended from complex cells that became simpler.

Since the discovery of the first giant virus, mimivirus, in 2003, researchers have debated how they evolved. Unlike conventional viruses, mimivirus carries many genes thought to be unique to cellular life, suggesting that it evolved from a cell.

Devolved, as in: A jar of pennies becomes a doorstop and a computer becomes a boat anchor. When you’ve really and truly found the reverse process … tweet!

Image here.

Comments
A more informed perspective: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2011/10/10/please-welcome-megavirus-the-worlds-most-ginormous-virus/paragwinn
October 11, 2011
October
10
Oct
11
11
2011
09:45 AM
9
09
45
AM
PDT
notes: Though not the same virus as in the OP, this bacteriophage virus caught my eye a while back:
The Virus - Assembly Of A Molecular "Lunar Landing" Machine - video http://www.metacafe.com/watch/4023122 Clockwork That Drives Powerful Virus Nanomotor Discovered Excerpt: Because of the motor's strength--to scale, twice that of an automobile--the new findings could inspire engineers designing sophisticated nanomachines. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081229200748.htm The bacteriophage Virus - A Molecular Lunar Landing Machine - video http://www.metacafe.com/watch/4205494
Bacteriophage T4 DNA Packaging and Infection The first thought I had when I saw the bacteriophage virus is that it looks similar to the lunar lander of the Apollo program. The comparison is not without merit considering some of the relative distances to be traveled and the virus must somehow possess, as of yet unelucidated, orientation, guidance, docking, unloading, loading, etc... mechanisms. And please remember this level of complexity exists in a world that is far too small to be seen with the naked eye. This excellent video gives a small glimpse at the intricate, and humbling, complexity that goes into crafting the "simple" non-living bacteriophage virus. of note: perhaps the 'Lunar Lander' virus 'devolved' from the 'command module' virus! :)bornagain77
October 11, 2011
October
10
Oct
11
11
2011
05:01 AM
5
05
01
AM
PDT
It's called old fashioned religious faith!Eocene
October 11, 2011
October
10
Oct
11
11
2011
04:45 AM
4
04
45
AM
PDT
No intelligence moved that jumping gene to a place where it made the cobs larger and cut down on the branching.
How do you know? How do you know jumping genes are not part of the genetic program?Joseph
October 11, 2011
October
10
Oct
11
11
2011
04:39 AM
4
04
39
AM
PDT
You've already posted it here: https://uncommondescent.com/evolution/carefully-preserved-jumping-gene-in-corn-shows-how-intelligent-design-produces-massive-changes/ No intelligence moved that jumping gene to a place where it made the cobs larger and cut down on the branching.dmullenix
October 11, 2011
October
10
Oct
11
11
2011
02:04 AM
2
02
04
AM
PDT

Leave a Reply