Talk:Virus

Submicroscopic
i want know that what is submicroscopic 106.205.32.249 (talk) 06:31, 22 November 2023 (UTC)


 * Too small to be seen with an optical microscope. Graham Beards (talk) 06:32, 22 November 2023 (UTC)

Suggested addition to the article
"In addition, some microorganisms are grazing directly on viruses, which can make up a significant amount of their nutrition. Also larger organisms like appendicularians and sponges can feed on viruses, but only make up a small part of their diet." Hipporoo (talk) 05:45, 7 March 2024 (UTC)

Mention of viruses as obligate parasites?
Just read a paper on the topic, and wondered if it would fit here. I try not to make content changes on larger pages without consulting the talk page first. FullyNatural (talk) 20:07, 9 April 2024 (UTC)


 * This is pretty much covered in the first sentence. Viruses aren't traditionally thought of as parasites as they are dependent on the host (cell) for much more than just nutrients. What was the paper? Graham Beards (talk) 10:14, 10 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Here's the DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1016%2FB978-012373944-5.00323-0
 * You're right in saying viruses aren't typically thought of as viruses. FullyNatural (talk) 13:35, 12 April 2024 (UTC)
 * That might be the stupidest thing I've ever written. Of course I mean "parasites" not "viruses"... FullyNatural (talk) 13:41, 12 April 2024 (UTC)
 * That 2009 article looks like it was based on an earlier version of our article and is not a good source. I don't think it would help our readers to add "obligate intracellular parasites" - it confuses more than it informs. Graham Beards (talk) 13:48, 12 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Fair point, thanks for the insight! FullyNatural (talk) 19:09, 12 April 2024 (UTC)

Suggestion: add history of virology to the article
Is there a good reason why History of virology doesn't appear here? Vonfraginoff (talk) 15:07, 7 July 2024 (UTC)


 * Good point. It used to be part of this article but it was too long and given it's own article. I'll write a summary and leave a . Graham Beards (talk) 06:47, 8 July 2024 (UTC)

Recent edits
I have removed two recent edits. The first one, on the bubble theory, was cited to a single source that presents a hypothesis that has not yet been accepted by the scientific community and as such is a primary source. The second on life properties of viruses, added a little to what has already been said, and what on earth is a "mare spore"? The added text also suffered from padding, editorializing and below par prose. Graham Beards (talk) 11:00, 8 July 2024 (UTC)

Replace illustration
I have replaced this illustration File:Influenza geneticshift.svg Reason:

Bob (talk) 17:07, 17 July 2024 (UTC)
 * It is an inaccurate reproduction of the source . The two "parents" are correctly labeled, but in the original the progeny is not given a description whereas the Wikimedia reproduction labels the progeny as "highly pathogenic human strain". Accompanying text in the original explains that a human strain may acquire characteristics from a highly pathogenic avian strain, but makes no assumption about the characteristics of the progeny.


 * The original diagram dates from 2007 and it was not taken from the 2014 source! The cartoon was just a schematic used to illustrate reassortment. I think you should retract your comments here and at the Commons, but the new image you have added can stay IMHO. Graham Beards (talk) 17:58, 18 July 2024 (UTC)