CarbonatedCapybara
CarbonatedCapybara t1_ixy6rzj wrote
Reply to comment by Whyevenbotherbeing in ELI5: What exactly are viruses? by viktorepo
When a cell dies, it usually releases its genetic material into the environment. Wild organisms are constantly running across DNA/RNA from dead cells. Some organisms have found that picking up random DNA can be beneficial as it can lead to obtaining genes that will give the organism a special advantage. Imagine this happening millions and millions of times over a period a day. It's not hard to see how some stands of DNA/RNA that make it into cells cause adverse effects and eventually develop into more complex items
CarbonatedCapybara t1_iy4l99r wrote
Reply to comment by k1lk1 in Abandoned pet pigeons in Brooklyn. by Cmondudecmon
Doves are pigeons too :(