Rachael Pine
Predatory organisms at ocean depths
The author in my article clearly states that there are two
hundred and twenty-five times more viruses than microbes in old nutrient poor
marine sediments. Therefore they take up the largest fraction of living
biomasses and have taken over as predators in this ecosystem. There was a time
when scientists thought that the biomasses of microbes were equal to that of
all the marine life above it; however, they over looked viruses. It seems that
the viruses have taken over the microbial population and have become the main
predators as well as controlling the size and composition of microbes.
The author
seems to be able to explain how this is possible, but it would be easier if
there were graphs or charts explaining how the viruses take over the microbes.
Another thing that would help is to show the experiment(s) on how this ideal
was brought to the surface of the scientific world. I didn’t think that viruses
could live in the marine sediments, or in such extreme habitats. I know that
extreme heat can kill some viruses, and extreme cold will freeze them, causing
them to not be able to attack. This article has shown me that viruses can live
in extreme habitats or situations on the planet, and that they can become
predators.
One of the
first questions that came to my mind is why do we need to know if there are
viruses in old nutrient poor marine sediment? Is knowing this information going
to help us in the future to understand how viruses can control microbes along
with how they can survive crazy, extreme habitats. Are these viruses going to
affect marine life and cause them to become sick and spread like wild fire? If that
happens will these viruses affect us humans who do eat the marine life? Will it
cause a hole in the food chain causing a collapse in the world?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140121130803.htm
Not being an ocean person, the fact that your article adds the fact that viruses can live underwater as well is become more and more known. An incident came up in the news a while back and researchers found viruses and bacteria like specimen in lakes and rivers, where people go out to camp and swim. While a little kid, at the age of 12 was diagnosed with a virus that went in through is nose and into his brain. Having an unknown virus, no doctor could treat the kid efficiently and later died with an unknown virus up to this day. The fact that you brought up an excellent question,” Will these viruses affect us humans who do eat the marine life?” is an expansion on good precocious effects on not eating marine food anymore. Which then will cause a hole in the food chain. This could be a well research project in the near future.
ReplyDeleteJose
We're just starting to understand the role of viruses in ecosystems. While well known for their role in causing disease, the ability of viruses to control what other microbial species (e.g. bacteria) are present is just starting to be known.
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