The SARS-C0V-2 agent causing COVID-19 is a virus, and viruses are continuously changing through genetic alteration. It’s the same process that leveraged humans to the top of the food chain. However, this time the new COVID strains seem to have a temporary advantage over us. Today we sort out the semantics by exploring the difference between coronavirus strains, variants, and mutations.
A Quick Glossary of Viral Genetic Changes
A strain is a variant that’s sufficiently unique to classify on its own. SARS-Cov-2 falls in that category. However, it’s still part of the coronavirus group causing respiratory tract infections in humans, mammals and birds.
Mutation is the process whereby a virus evolves, much as humans did when our ancestors and neanderthal genetics merged. It’s normal and expected, and often has no discernible outcome according to the The Independent.
But some mutations change the structure of the virus to the extent it behaves differently. We call the results of these mutations strains, although they are still fundamentally the same virus.
These processes are playing out in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. The way it interfaces with humans – and vaccines – is evolving. This is the challenge science faces.
Step Changes in Coronavirus Strains, Variants and Mutations
A virus strain has distinct properties, and a particular immune response while still evolving gradually, Jean-Paul Soucy of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health told CTV News. However, these alterations need to change the way it behaves, before we can speak of a unique COVID variant.
Scientists call the process whereby this takes place mutation. In the UK variant, the mutated strain N501Y affects the way the virus spike protein binds with human cells. This makes it more efficient, and thereby more infectious. Changes to coronavirus strains, variants and mutations also affect the efficacy of vaccines.
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