09 Jan 2023 Virovore

Details on Virovore

This article covers “Daily current events “Virovore” which is in news, it covers the “‘Scientific innovations and discoveries” In GS-3 , and following content has relevance for UPSC. 

For prelims: Facts about Virovore

Why in news:

Scientists have discovered the first known “Virovore,” or organism that consumes viruses.

The new discoveries might alter how we perceive the microscopic function that viruses perform in the food chain.

Virovore: What is it?

• It has been determined that this protist species actually eat viruses.
• These virus-eating protist species are now referred to as “Virovores,” as they belong to their own kingdom on the tree of life and are not considered to be either plants, animals, or fungi.
• It belongs to the genus Halteria, a group of tiny ciliates found in freshwater all over the world.
• A common genus of protists known as Halteria is a microorganism that is known to flit about as its hair-like cilia drive it through the water.
• They are composed of phosphorus, nitrogen, and nucleic acids. It can consume a sizable number of contagious chloroviruses that live in the same aquatic environment.
• It is known that chloroviruses can infect microscopic green algae.
• These creatures can feed on viruses to keep themselves alive, eating numerous and expanding in size.
• A virus-only diet, or “virovory,” is sufficient to support an organism’s physiological growth and even population increase.

Source:

• The Hindustan Times

Get Current Affairs from Yojna IAS.

Yojna IAS Daily current affairs eng med 9th Jan

piyush singh