What exactly are prion diseases and how do people get them?
In: 1
A prion is like bad code on a computer. This bad code gets in the way of other processes and causes cascading problems. Whereas a virus seeks out to replicate itself, a prion is simply a mishshappen protein that damages other protiens and gets in the way. The body needs these protiens to regulate itself so slowly but surely the prion will break down vital functions of the body.
Now prion diseases are mostly rare because they usually require consuming the protien directly. They can’t spread on the air like a bacteria or virus might. One of the reasons we had such a problem with mad cow disease was that animal feed was repurposing the unused organs. This included the brain and central nervous system that the prions was in which ended up spreading the prion to other cows. Often times the meat from infected cows was safe to eat as the prion couldn’t leave the brain. However if a blade or surface had the prion on it from passing through infected nervous tissue of the cow then it could be spread onto the meat. So we infected a bunch of cows on accident and couldn’t risk the possibility of it getting on the meat.
What exactly are prion diseases and how do people get them?
In: 1
A prion is like bad code on a computer. This bad code gets in the way of other processes and causes cascading problems. Whereas a virus seeks out to replicate itself, a prion is simply a mishshappen protein that damages other protiens and gets in the way. The body needs these protiens to regulate itself so slowly but surely the prion will break down vital functions of the body.
Now prion diseases are mostly rare because they usually require consuming the protien directly. They can’t spread on the air like a bacteria or virus might. One of the reasons we had such a problem with mad cow disease was that animal feed was repurposing the unused organs. This included the brain and central nervous system that the prions was in which ended up spreading the prion to other cows. Often times the meat from infected cows was safe to eat as the prion couldn’t leave the brain. However if a blade or surface had the prion on it from passing through infected nervous tissue of the cow then it could be spread onto the meat. So we infected a bunch of cows on accident and couldn’t risk the possibility of it getting on the meat.
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