Chapter
The Life and Death of Viruses
50:58 - 56:48 (05:49)
The definition of a virus as alive or dead is a debated topic, but if you think of it as an organism with a particle phase in a cell, it makes sense to call it alive. However, viruses would not be able to replicate or do anything without getting inside of a cell.
Clips
The debate about whether viruses are alive or not is due to the fact that they cannot replicate independently and need to infect a host cell to do so.
50:58 - 53:56 (02:57)
Summary
The debate about whether viruses are alive or not is due to the fact that they cannot replicate independently and need to infect a host cell to do so. However, if we think of viruses as organisms with a particle phase, then they can be considered alive.
ChapterThe Life and Death of Viruses
Episode#216 – Vincent Racaniello: Viruses and Vaccines
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Rabies is the most lethal virus, with a 100% mortality rate unless vaccinated, causing 70,000 deaths a year.
53:56 - 55:09 (01:13)
Summary
Rabies is the most lethal virus, with a 100% mortality rate unless vaccinated, causing 70,000 deaths a year. There is a therapeutic vaccine that can treat the disease even after infection.
ChapterThe Life and Death of Viruses
Episode#216 – Vincent Racaniello: Viruses and Vaccines
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Rabies is a deadly disease that causes fear of water, stiffness and spasms and often leads to death.
55:09 - 56:48 (01:38)
Summary
Rabies is a deadly disease that causes fear of water, stiffness and spasms and often leads to death. However, thanks to the rabies vaccine, the disease's effects have been almost entirely eradicated in modern society.