M. sibericum, the giant virus, found to be infectious
Q. A giant virus M. sibericum has been discovered in Serbia. The following statements about the virus are true:- Published on 20 Sep 15a. The virus is 30,000 years old
b. It has found to be still functional and capable of infecting hosts other than humans
c. It infected single cell amoebas during the late Stone Age
d. All of the above
ANSWER: All of the above
30,000 year old Mollivirus Sibericum discovered in soil sample around 98 feet below in the Siberian permafrost is a member of a new viral family. This virus which is the fourth family of virus ever found has a diameter wider than other giant viruses. It has a diameter of 600 nanometres as against 500 in other giant viruses. The virus also has a genome of 600,000 base pairs with genetic instructions to generate 500 proteins. This 30,000 year old giant virus has the capacity to infect its host single celled amoebas only.
