Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Viral Genetics

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Viral Genetics 1. Genome vs. Gene The genome refers to the complete set of genetic material in a virus, while a gene is a specific segment of that material. Think of the genome as the entire library, and genes as individual books within it. 2. Mutation vs. Variation A mutation is a permanent change in the genetic material, often resulting in a new trait. Variation, on the other hand, refers to naturally occurring differences in the genetic makeup. While mutations can lead to variation, not all variations are caused by mutations. 3. Recombination vs. Reassortment Both recombination and reassortment involve the exchange of genetic material between different viruses. However, recombination occurs when two related viruses exchange segments, while reassortment happens when two different viruses mix their entire genome segments. 4. Epidemic vs. Pandemic An epidemic is the rapid spread of a disease within a specific region or community. A pandemic, on the other hand, refers to a global outbreak, affecting multiple countries or continents. While all pandemics are epidemics, not all epidemics are pandemics. 5. Vector vs. Reservoir