A virus is an infectious agent that reproduces inside the cells of living hosts. Unlike most living things, viruses do not have cells that divide; instead they force infected host cells to produce thousands of identical copies of the original virus, at an extraordinary rate. A virus consists of two or three parts: genes, made from either DNA or RNA, long molecules that carry the genetic information; a protein coat that protects the genes; and in some, an envelope of fat that surrounds and protects them when they are not contained within a host cell (and makes them vulnerable to soap). Viruses spread in different ways; some through the air by people when they cough or sneeze, others by the faecal–oral route, and some by direct contact or during sex. Over 4,800 species have been discovered, many of which cause disease in plants and animals, including common human diseases such as the common cold, chickenpox and cold sores, and serious epidemics and pandemics such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, influenza, SARS and COVID-19.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduction_to_viruses
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1945:
World War II: The United States Army Air Forces began Operation Starvation, laying naval mines in many of Japan's vital water routes and ports to disrupt enemy shipping. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Starvation
1958:
Nikita Khrushchev, First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, assumed the office of premier. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikita_Khrushchev
1980:
Brothers Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herbert Hunt failed in their attempt to corner the world silver market, causing panic in commodity and futures exchanges. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Thursday
2009:
A suicide bomber killed at least 48 people during Friday prayer at a mosque in Jamrud, Pakistan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Jamrud_mosque_bombing
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
wagon: 1. A four-wheeled cart for hauling loads. 2. A four-wheeled child's riding toy, pulled or steered by a long handle attached to the front. 3. An enclosed vehicle for carrying goods or people; (by extension) a lorry, a truck. 4. An enclosed vehicle used as a movable dwelling; a caravan. 5. Short for dinner wagon (“set of light shelves mounted on castors so that it can be pushed around a dining room and used for serving”). 6. (slang) Short for paddy wagon (“police van for transporting prisoners”). 7. (rail transport) A freight car on a railway. 8. (chiefly Australia, US, slang) Short for station wagon (“type of car in which the roof extends rearward to produce an enclosed area in the position of and serving the function of the boot (trunk)”); (by extension) a sport utility vehicle (SUV); any car. 9. (Ireland, slang, derogatory, dated) A woman of loose morals, a promiscuous woman, a slapper; (by extension) a woman regarded as obnoxious; a bitch, a cow. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wagon
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
The king can drink the best of wine; So can I: And has enough when he would dine — So have I; He cannot order rain or shine; Nor can I. Then, where's the difference — let me see — Betwixt my lord the king and me? --Charles Mackay https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_Mackay