Throughout the writing of this article, we will deal in depth with the different meanings that the concept of “Virus” can acquire. In order to answer the question posed in the title of this entry, what is the Virus? Since it is a term that encompasses a multitude of definitions and depending on which field it is used from, it acquires a different meaning. Perhaps on many occasions similar, but it differs in some aspects. Next we will share with you a more general concept of virus.
The meaning that most people interpret as a virus is that of an intracellular parasite of microscopic size. Which is structured by proteins and nucleic acid. It is also the cause of a variety of diseases, which originate according to each type of virus. That is to say. There is the virus that causes the flu, AIDS (or HIV). Ebola, among other diseases.
The name “virus” comes from the Latin of the same name, which means poison or toxin. Which gives a lot of sense to the concept previously commented.
As previously mentioned, viruses are made up of nucleic acids. That is, the genetic material responsible for transporting hereditary information. Either RNA or DNA. In addition to this, viruses are also made up of two envelopes that are responsible for protecting them. One is the capsid, which is a protein coat (or envelope) that protects genes. And the other is the viral envelope or lipid bilayer. Which will cover the virus when it is outside the cell.
Viruses and Bacteria.
We consider this to be an interesting point to discuss, as people tend to confuse viruses with bacteria. And although it is understood why, since both are responsible for generating diseases. There are some characteristics that allow differentiating one from the other. Next we will comment on what these characteristics are, so that the difference between the two concepts is known.
The main feature that differentiates viruses from bacteria is that viruses are non-cellular organisms. Which means they don’t have cells. So in order to multiply, they have to live in host cells. Unlike bacteria which are unicellular microorganisms. What makes them living beings by having cells.
Another differentiating characteristic between both microorganisms is the size. On the part of the viruses these measure between 250 to 550 millimeters in diameter. Which can only be detected by electron microscope. As for bacteria, they have a diameter of approximately 0.5 and 1 micrometer, which means that they can be perceived from light microscopes. To give you an idea of the size difference between the two microorganisms, bacteria are up to 120 times larger than viruses.
Another big difference between both concepts is the way in which these organisms are structured. Viruses are composed of only genome. And they are covered by an envelope or protein and viral capsid. It is precisely for this reason that they do not breathe, do not grow, or move. Unlike bacteria which do have a real cell wall. At the same time, inside it is found the cytoplasm, the bacterial genome and the ribosomes. Which allows it to grow and reproduce.
As the last difference, we have the cure for both cases. Bacteria can be easily treated with antibiotics, while viruses require preventative and antiviral vaccines.
What are computer viruses?
Of course, we could not ignore this term, since today in this digital world. There are the well-known computer viruses. Although the truth is that these have been in the digital world for some time now, but it is in the present where they have caused the greatest impact. Mainly due to the globalization of the internet and other computer devices. As are the Personal Computer (PC) and smartphones.
A computer virus is understood as those computer programs that are focused on causing harm or that go with the purpose of altering the proper functioning of the equipment. Or extract personal information from the carrier of the machine. Obviously these actions are illegal and go against the will of the user who owns the computer.
There are viruses that only consist of reproducing and presenting some inconvenience to the user. As can be the well-known «Shortcuts Virus». Which converts into direct access all the files that are stored on your USB. Although there are also those viruses that are responsible for generating greater problems on the computer. They are mainly stored in RAM memory and from there they spread to executables, until they corrupt the entire machine.
However, there are other types of viruses, which are only responsible for stealing information from the owner user to an external agent. These types of viruses are known as Trojans. Sometimes this type of Trojan virus can also give the external user control of the computer.
However, just as these evils exist, there is also software in charge of eliminating or preventing the damage of the equipment by these computer programs. We refer to antivirus.
What is viral marketing?
And to finish off this round of virus definitions. We are going to close by commenting on what Viral Marketing is, since this definition refers to it. To summarize it and not complicate it so much, we must understand that viral marketing is the set of advertising techniques. That make use of the main means of digital communication or the Internet. See social networks like twitter, YouTube, Facebook, among many others.
When it comes to advertising and marketing, the only purpose of being able to viralize a product or service is to be able to increase its presence in the market and thereby achieve greater sales. As well as getting the good positioning of the brand to which the advertising campaign is being carried out. It is in fact the objective that most marketing campaigns seek, since the intention in every business, trade or company is to cause a greater impact and presence in the market.
It is possible that you have heard the phrase on more than one occasion… “The viral video that is a trend” or “The Twitter Hashtag that achieved worldwide viralization”. That’s due (in some cases) to viral marketing. Of course, in order to reach that point, a good investment is required and why not, some luck. Since the viralization of a content is something difficult to achieve, even for the big brands.
We hope that the content written throughout this entry will be very useful for our readers. And that the doubt about what is a virus? has been clarified and resolved for all. It was sought to cover the most popular definitions that this concept contains. With the sole purpose of providing as much information as possible.