How are new viruses formed?
In: Biology
They evolve from other viruses. Viruses accumulate tons of mutations at a fairly high rate. They can also assimilate genetic material from other viruses (e.g., when 2 viruses simultaneously infect the same individual). Eventually one (or a combination of) these genetic changes results in a large enough phenotypic change that it can be considered a new strain of virus.
In the context of SARS-CoV-2, the genetic evidence suggests that it evolved from a coronavirus that infected bats, and then obtained some genetic material from a pangolin coronavirus. Being able to now infect humans is of course considered a very significant change, so we call it a new virus.
Evolution.
They evolve through natural selection from random mutations. It’s a matter of duplication until a breakout into humans for them to become diseases.
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