After invading a cell, the virus does something even more impressive: it hijacks the genetic machinery of your airway cells to create even more viruses.
In other words, once a virus enters one cell, it tricks your cell into not making other cells but instead making more viruses.
How does the virus do that?
Principle 1: DNA is the Blueprint of Life
DNA is often called your genetic “blueprint”. Although we already discussed the structure of DNA in the Biochemistry section, here is an overview of how that DNA is important for creating and passing on life.
However, sometimes errors occur during DNA replications which can cause mutations and disorders.
Principle 2: The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology is Really Dope
The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology is just a big term to describe the process of how DNA eventually becomes protein.
The main concept you need to know is that DNA becomes RNA which then becomes protein.
There are three mechanisms you should be familiar with:
- DNA replication (DNA —> DNA)
- Transcription (DNA —> RNA)
- Translation (RNA —> Protein)
Learn the basics of these steps below:
