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I was amazed when I learnt that viruses could move DNA from host to host. But then it makes perfect sense. It must make evolution so much more efficient. It ma
by LatteLazy 5y ago
I was amazed when I learnt that viruses could move DNA from host to host. But then it makes perfect sense. It must make evolution so much more efficient.
It made me wonder whether viruses (or similar participants) would be vital to complex life evolving on other planets?
- flobosg 5y agoYou don’t need to look that far: Syncytin, a protein involved in placental development, is derived from an ancient retrovirus[1]. In other words, a virus made mammals possible. [1]: https://whyy.org/segments/the-placenta-went-viral-and-protomammals-were-born/ https://whyy.org/segments/the-placenta-went-viral-and-protom... EDIT: If I recall correctly, endogenous retroviruses are involved in brain development as well.