Answer the two questions below by reading the article 1, What was discovered in this article and how is it interesting 2, How is this discovery in the article related to genetics

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
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Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
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**Article Title: Investigating the Origins of SARS-CoV-2**

**Objective Questions:**

1. **What was discovered in this article and how is it interesting?**
2. **How is this discovery in the article related to genetics?**

**Summary:**

The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China, has rapidly spread globally, causing the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent genomic analyses, published in *Nature Medicine*, provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 originated through natural evolutionary processes, not through laboratory engineering.

**Key Findings:**

The study utilized public genome data from SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses. By comparing these sequences, researchers confirmed the natural origin of the virus. Dr. Kristian Andersen and colleagues, noted microbiologists and immunologists from Scripps Research and other esteemed institutions, contributed to this pivotal analysis.

**Background:**
Coronaviruses, capable of causing various illnesses, include SARS in 2003 and MERS in 2012. These prior outbreaks established a precedent for severe respiratory diseases. Initial alerts about SARS-CoV-2 arose in late 2019, and by February 2020, over 167,500 cases were documented globally.

**Genetic Analysis:**
The research focused on the genetic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, integral to viral entry into host cells. Two crucial components were assessed: the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the cleavage site. The RBD particularly targets the ACE2 receptor on human cells, essential for regulating blood pressure, indicating an evolutionary adaptation rather than genetic engineering.

**Conclusion:**
The natural evolution insight relies on spike protein functionality and a comparison to known viral backbones. Despite any speculation of synthetic origin, the genomic structure aligns with naturally occurring evolutionary paths.

This evidence underscores the complex interplay of genetics and natural selection, illustrating the virus's intricate evolutionary history.
Transcribed Image Text:**Article Title: Investigating the Origins of SARS-CoV-2** **Objective Questions:** 1. **What was discovered in this article and how is it interesting?** 2. **How is this discovery in the article related to genetics?** **Summary:** The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China, has rapidly spread globally, causing the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent genomic analyses, published in *Nature Medicine*, provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 originated through natural evolutionary processes, not through laboratory engineering. **Key Findings:** The study utilized public genome data from SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses. By comparing these sequences, researchers confirmed the natural origin of the virus. Dr. Kristian Andersen and colleagues, noted microbiologists and immunologists from Scripps Research and other esteemed institutions, contributed to this pivotal analysis. **Background:** Coronaviruses, capable of causing various illnesses, include SARS in 2003 and MERS in 2012. These prior outbreaks established a precedent for severe respiratory diseases. Initial alerts about SARS-CoV-2 arose in late 2019, and by February 2020, over 167,500 cases were documented globally. **Genetic Analysis:** The research focused on the genetic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, integral to viral entry into host cells. Two crucial components were assessed: the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the cleavage site. The RBD particularly targets the ACE2 receptor on human cells, essential for regulating blood pressure, indicating an evolutionary adaptation rather than genetic engineering. **Conclusion:** The natural evolution insight relies on spike protein functionality and a comparison to known viral backbones. Despite any speculation of synthetic origin, the genomic structure aligns with naturally occurring evolutionary paths. This evidence underscores the complex interplay of genetics and natural selection, illustrating the virus's intricate evolutionary history.
**Understanding the Origins of SARS-CoV-2**

Researchers, including Josie Golding, PhD, from the Wellcome Trust, emphasize the importance of scientific evidence in understanding the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Their findings highlight that the virus's mutations in the RBD section of the spike protein are unlikely to have originated from laboratory manipulation, instead pointing to natural evolution.

**Potential Origins:**

1. **Zoonotic Transmission:**
   - One scenario suggests the virus evolved from a bat coronavirus to its current pathogenic form through natural selection, similar to past outbreaks like SARS and MERS, involving intermediate hosts such as civets or camels.

2. **Intermediate Hosts:**
   - The second scenario posits that non-pathogenic forms jumped from an animal host, like pangolins or other mammals in Asia or Africa, to humans, later evolving within the human population. Certain distinct spike protein features of SARS-CoV-2 could have developed to enhance human-to-human transmission.

**Current Scientific Challenges:**

According to study co-author Andrew Rambaut, it's challenging to determine which origin scenario is correct. The likelihood of future outbreaks remains a concern if the virus reemerges from animal reservoirs.

**Research Support:**

The investigation received backing from organizations including the US National Institutes of Health, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Wellcome Trust, and the European Research Council.

This research contributes critically to the debates about the virus's emergence, rejecting theories of deliberate genetic modification, and emphasizing the natural routes likely responsible for the pandemic.
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding the Origins of SARS-CoV-2** Researchers, including Josie Golding, PhD, from the Wellcome Trust, emphasize the importance of scientific evidence in understanding the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Their findings highlight that the virus's mutations in the RBD section of the spike protein are unlikely to have originated from laboratory manipulation, instead pointing to natural evolution. **Potential Origins:** 1. **Zoonotic Transmission:** - One scenario suggests the virus evolved from a bat coronavirus to its current pathogenic form through natural selection, similar to past outbreaks like SARS and MERS, involving intermediate hosts such as civets or camels. 2. **Intermediate Hosts:** - The second scenario posits that non-pathogenic forms jumped from an animal host, like pangolins or other mammals in Asia or Africa, to humans, later evolving within the human population. Certain distinct spike protein features of SARS-CoV-2 could have developed to enhance human-to-human transmission. **Current Scientific Challenges:** According to study co-author Andrew Rambaut, it's challenging to determine which origin scenario is correct. The likelihood of future outbreaks remains a concern if the virus reemerges from animal reservoirs. **Research Support:** The investigation received backing from organizations including the US National Institutes of Health, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Wellcome Trust, and the European Research Council. This research contributes critically to the debates about the virus's emergence, rejecting theories of deliberate genetic modification, and emphasizing the natural routes likely responsible for the pandemic.
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