Science Infoblog

Mexican swine flu has a complex ancestry containing parts from two previous swine flu viruses and gene segments that originated in birds or humans. The strain of the virus derives its name from the proteins found on the surface of the envelope in this case haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N. These proteins determine the type of host cell the virus will latch on to.

For NCEA level 1 science you need to be familiar with the process of virus replication.

Check out the following:

• Bacterial basics
• How bacteria live: Extra cellular digestion
• Watch a white blood cell chase a bacterium and absorb it…a horrible end
• Bacteria dividing