we discussed the retrovirus HIV – the cause of AIDS. One of theinteresting aspects of the disease was that in the first few yearsafter initial infection, the Genetic divergence between HIV virionswas extremely large (a maximum of ~8%). However, at about 6 yearspost infection, the Genetic divergence between the HIV virions wasreduced to less than 0.5%.
A) In terms of the Evolution of the virus, please explain thesefindings.
As you know, HIV is normally lethal – although the timeframe tolethality can very greatly among affected individuals.
B) Given that the virus is lethal, explain why it doesn’t evolveto have a lower, or reduced, rate of mortality.
If Evolution is going to occur in a population, there must be 3characteristics found in the population.
C) What are these characteristics and why are they important tothe process of Evolution.
