What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?












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Warning: I have almost no knowledge of biology past the high school level.



Viruses generally have three components: the DNA, the virus protein coat, and an outer membrane "decorated" with these surface marker glycoproteins. I am thinking that a virus would want to infect as many hosts as possible, so that it would reproduce as much as possible, why would a virus just infect one group of organisms.



What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?






evolution virology







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1












$begingroup$


Warning: I have almost no knowledge of biology past the high school level.



Viruses generally have three components: the DNA, the virus protein coat, and an outer membrane "decorated" with these surface marker glycoproteins. I am thinking that a virus would want to infect as many hosts as possible, so that it would reproduce as much as possible, why would a virus just infect one group of organisms.



What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?






evolution virology







share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Tell me if there are issues with this question, I will reply as soon as possible
    $endgroup$
    – JavaScriptCoder
    5 hours ago














1












1








1





$begingroup$


Warning: I have almost no knowledge of biology past the high school level.



Viruses generally have three components: the DNA, the virus protein coat, and an outer membrane "decorated" with these surface marker glycoproteins. I am thinking that a virus would want to infect as many hosts as possible, so that it would reproduce as much as possible, why would a virus just infect one group of organisms.



What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?






evolution virology







share|improve this question











$endgroup$




Warning: I have almost no knowledge of biology past the high school level.



Viruses generally have three components: the DNA, the virus protein coat, and an outer membrane "decorated" with these surface marker glycoproteins. I am thinking that a virus would want to infect as many hosts as possible, so that it would reproduce as much as possible, why would a virus just infect one group of organisms.



What evolutionary advantage do viruses have in host specificity?






evolution virology




evolution virology






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 5 hours ago









Remi.b

58.4k8108194




58.4k8108194










asked 5 hours ago









JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder

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  • $begingroup$
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$begingroup$
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2 Answers
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$begingroup$

It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.



When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.



Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).



Somewhat related posts:




  • Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?

  • Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?



Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment






share|improve this answer











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  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
    $endgroup$
    – De Novo
    4 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
    $endgroup$
    – JavaScriptCoder
    4 hours ago



















0












$begingroup$

I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?





share








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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    3












    $begingroup$

    It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.



    When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.



    Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).



    Somewhat related posts:




    • Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?

    • Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?



    Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
      $endgroup$
      – De Novo
      4 hours ago












    • $begingroup$
      Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
      $endgroup$
      – JavaScriptCoder
      4 hours ago
















    3












    $begingroup$

    It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.



    When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.



    Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).



    Somewhat related posts:




    • Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?

    • Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?



    Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
      $endgroup$
      – De Novo
      4 hours ago












    • $begingroup$
      Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
      $endgroup$
      – JavaScriptCoder
      4 hours ago














    3












    3








    3





    $begingroup$

    It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.



    When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.



    Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).



    Somewhat related posts:




    • Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?

    • Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?



    Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    It is true for any living creature, that it would be great for it if it could thrive in all environments. Any creature would do better if it had a greater ecological niche while remaining as competitive in each of these niches. However, competition lead species to specialize in specific niches. Of course, some species are more generalist and some are more specialist but I won't go into these details.



    When it comes to parasites, such as viruses, the story is the same. A host is an environment. Being less specific would be great but the immune system is no easy detail to get around. Viruses are often quite specific to a given species, just because it evolved to be efficient for a given host but tend not to be that efficient in other hosts.



    Note that parasites are not only species specific but also often tissue specific and specific to the specifics genetics of the host (e.g. malaria).



    Somewhat related posts:




    • Why do parasites sometimes kill their hosts?

    • Why aren't all infections immune-system resistant?



    Thank you @DeNovo for helpful comment







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 4 hours ago

























    answered 5 hours ago









    Remi.bRemi.b

    58.4k8108194




    58.4k8108194








    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
      $endgroup$
      – De Novo
      4 hours ago












    • $begingroup$
      Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
      $endgroup$
      – JavaScriptCoder
      4 hours ago














    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
      $endgroup$
      – De Novo
      4 hours ago












    • $begingroup$
      Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
      $endgroup$
      – JavaScriptCoder
      4 hours ago








    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
    $endgroup$
    – De Novo
    4 hours ago






    $begingroup$
    Good answer. I'd note that, not only are viruses often specific to a given species, they're often quite tissue specific. I think there are several Q/A pairs that may relate to this question. The one you linked, and also this, though asked about bacteria. The basic question (why doesn't some group of organisms just take over everything everywhere) is very similar.
    $endgroup$
    – De Novo
    4 hours ago














    $begingroup$
    Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
    $endgroup$
    – JavaScriptCoder
    4 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    Thank you! Helps the day before my bio test ;)
    $endgroup$
    – JavaScriptCoder
    4 hours ago











    0












    $begingroup$

    I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?





    share








    New contributor




    Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.






    $endgroup$


















      0












      $begingroup$

      I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?





      share








      New contributor




      Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






      $endgroup$
















        0












        0








        0





        $begingroup$

        I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?





        share








        New contributor




        Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        $endgroup$



        I would more specifically address the advantage/benefit, in that even though a virus may be host specific (or not, since it really doesn't matter in terms of gain), even the most virulent of viruses throughout history have not killed off entire species, save the 'virus' of being man (whole other story), yet for some reason some within a species survive! They may have a specific protein, are a carrier - the list is long and not entirely understood. In any case, they often handoff whatever adaptable mutation they have to their offspring, thereby making them immune to such viruses. Survival of the fittest?






        share








        New contributor




        Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.








        share


        share






        New contributor




        Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        answered 8 mins ago









        Lauren LoSchiavoLauren LoSchiavo

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        New contributor




        Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.





        New contributor





        Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        Lauren LoSchiavo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






























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