Hot Zone Part 1

By Varun Gunda

In his conversation with Richard Preston, Karl Johnson talks about

viruses. He thinks viruses are useful to species; they are interesting and
beautiful when looked at closely. For example he says, A virus can be useful
to a species by thinning it out. By this he means that viruses can control
populations of species. They can maintain growth of populations, so that there
wouldnt be too many of a species that dominate.
Microorganisms can disrupt an organisms health in order to keep the
organisms population under control and help it evolve. This can also help
maintain the ecosystem by not depleting it of its resources and adding
nutrients from dead organisms back into soil of the ecosystem.
Microorganisms such as bacteria can help maintain an organisms health so
that the whole population isnt wiped out. They can also help organisms with
metabolism, and help them get the nutrients they need in order to survive and
reproduce. The conversation from part 1 and microorganisms relate, because a
virus infects a microorganism that can help control the populations of
organisms and help them evolve into strong organisms that are immune to
this virus.