Scientists have discovered 5500 new viruses in the ocean. Some of which have been present in the ocean for billions of years.
Coronavirus has wreaked havoc all over the world. Still, new forms of this virus are emerging.
This has put pressure on scientists to conduct more detailed studies on the virus.
The scientists also examined seawater for the purpose of conducting a detailed study on the virus.
More than 5500 new viruses were discovered in 35000 water samples from the world’s oceans:
For this, the team of scientists took 35000 samples of water from the world’s oceans and studied them. These water samples were taken from 121 different locations in the world’s oceans.
Studying these water samples, scientists discovered 5504 new viruses that were not known until now.
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All of these are RNA viruses.
How many types of viruses?
Mainly there are two types of viruses:
- DNA virus (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
- RNA virus (Ribonucleic acid)
Difference between DNA and RNA:
DNA and RNA both store genetic information but Biologically there are significant differences between these two. If we do not go into deep biological terms and try to understand them as normal people, then there are following differences between them.
Structure:
DNA consists of two strands. The two stands are arranged in a helix-like shape. while RNA consists of a single strand. It also has a helix-like shape.
Length:
In comparison to RNA, DNA is a much longer polymer. Though RNA molecules vary in length, they are much shorter than DNA polymers.
Function:
DNA is responsible for the storage and transfer of genetic information necessary for development, functioning, and reproduction, from one generation to another.
While RNA is mainly involved in the synthesis of proteins. It also regulates gene expression.
Publicity:
DNA is self-replicating (duplicating) while RNA is synthesized from DNA as required.
Sensitivity to UV:
DNA is very sensitive to ultraviolet damage. It strongly opposes this. Whereas RNA shows low sensitivity i.e. low resistance.
Surprisingly, all the new viruses that have been discovered are RNA viruses like the coronavirus.
It is noteworthy that coronavirus is also an RNA virus.
There are a number of viruses on our earth. Many of them have the ability to harm humans, animals, and plants.
It is a matter of study how many of the newly discovered viruses can be harmful to us.
If we talk about India, then it is also a matter of concern for India. Because these viruses are also present in the seas of India. They are particularly present in the northwest regions of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The number of viruses may reach millions:
Researchers say that the number of viruses found in the ocean is continuously increasing.
Matthew Sullivan, a professor of microbiology at The Ohio State University, and the lead author of the study has said that the number of 5,500 RNA viruses that have been discovered so far is a small number. There is still more to be discovered. It is possible that this number may reach millions.
New viruses put in 5 new phyla:
Scientists have divided viruses into different groups on the basis of their different properties etc.
These groups are called phyla. But the recently discovered marine viruses are many in number and due to being found in different places, their properties can also be different. Therefore, from the point of view of the study, they have been divided into five new phyla (groups).
Matthew Sullivan said in an email to USA TODAY,
“It was very exciting to find from every angle we looked that we had likely added at least five phyla to the five known phyla for RNA viruses!”
Matthew Sullivan
The newly discovered 5500 viruses are being put in 5 new phyla (groups), which are as follows:
- Taraviricota
- Pomiviricota
- Paraxenoviricota
- Wamoviricota
- Arctiviricota
Of these, Taravaricota were found in all the seas while Arctivaricota were found only in the Arctic Sea present at the North Pole.
Billions of years old viruses will reveal the secret of the origin of life:
During the study, scientists studied the genetic sequence of marine plankton, which contained these RNA viruses.
A gene RdRp has also been found in these RNA viruses.
Now the question is, how did this gene RdRp come to earth?
Scientists are studying how this gene came to Earth? What is its job?
Can the ancient gene pose a threat to humans
What is RdRp?
RdRp stands for RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
It is a gene that helps in the replication (duplication) of RNA from an RNA template.
This RdRp gene, which is found in these newly discovered ocean viruses, is said to be billions of years old.
This means that this RdRp gene has been existing in oceans for billions of years.
It is so old that it will take a long time to trace its origin and lineage.
According to Dr. Ahmed Zayed, The study’s co-author, and The Ohio State University scientist, RdRp is a very ancient gene. It has existed since the beginning of DNA.
Dr. Sayed said,
“RdRp is supposed to be one of the most ancient genes – it existed before there was a need for DNA.”
Dr. Ahmed Zayed
This study will help scientists understand how viruses evolved. They hope it will also shed light on the evolution of early life on Earth. So it is possible that they can better understand the evolution of early life on Earth.
Dr. Ahmed Zayed is of the opinion that the study will help trace the origins of life.
As Dr. Zayed said in a statement,
“So we’re not just tracing the origins of viruses, but also tracing the origins of life.”
Dr. Ahmed Zayed
He says that at present the history of other viruses is being studied to find out which virus came when. Which virus is beneficial for us and which is harmful.
Role of marine viruses in climate change:
The study could also help understand the role of ocean viruses in climate change.
Extra heat from Earth is absorbed by oceans:
In fact, about 70% part of the Earth is covered by the oceans.
When the earth warms, the ocean water absorbs the extra heat and distributes it more evenly across the whole planet. This absorbed heat gives energy to the marine creatures and plants etc.
It is estimated that about 90% of global warming is absorbed in ocean water. But the ocean can also absorb the extra heat of the earth to a limited extent. Because if it absorbs more heat then it can be harmful to the animals and plants present inside it.
CO2 is soaked by ocean water:
The ocean also absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In fact, just as the trees on Earth take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and in return provide oxygen for the living beings. Similarly, the plants present in the sea take carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen. This oxygen is used for the breathing of the fish and other organisms living there.
The heat and carbon dioxide absorbed by ocean water is essential for the organisms and plants living there.
The viruses present in the oceans absorb more than half of the carbon dioxide produced by human activities on Earth.
Thus marine viruses may have an important role in climate change.
Let us tell you that all the scientists involved in this study are part of a global project called Tara Oceans Consortium to study ocean climate change.
It is hoped that the study will help in understanding the complexities of climate change.
