User:Tramans/sandbox

Zombie Virus The zombie virus is what makes zombies, well, zombies. While always believed to be fiction, there are many scientific ways it can be real, starting below. The zombie virus. It works by draining the host via infection of the medulla oblongata, resulting in severe fever. While doing this, it kills off the mitochondria, essential for producing energy - and provides a new source of energy: the flesh of living things. By now, the host will be dead - and when the virus is done organizing itself,it jump-starts the body. It then hijacks the adrenal gland to release large amounts of serotonin, toggling aggression. The host remains decaying due to autolysis, so eventually, after about 7-10 years the host’s cells’ enzymes will have consumed it to the point where it can’t do much harm. This is, however, slowed by the host’s need to feast on living flesh - which are nutrients. It would only be necessary to keep the brain and digestive system alive - so the other systems aren’t supported. It can also control involuntary actions by toggling genes on/off. This means that it will stop your heart and your brain while killing you off by fever. Meanwhile, it is toggling your cells' genes not to make mitochondria anymore - so the heart and lungs aren't necessary. The only way to stay alive is by eating massive amounts, which happens to be from anything alive. This is because the virus hijacks your adrenal gland to secrete tons of serotonin - a hormone that toggles aggression and violence.