Even Greener Pastures

Language Learning => Questions about the Use of Language => Topic started by: Sofia on March 30, 2020, 04:04:23 pm

Title: Re: Club–like Spikes ?
Post by: Sofia on March 31, 2020, 03:08:26 pm

Quote from: MartinSR on March 30, 2020, 06:34:34 pm

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/club

I haven't looked for any scientific source of knowledge this time, but since we are "bombarded" by pictures of this virus recently, I noticed these spikes look like clubs. They are not pin-pointed, they become wider and maybe even rounded at their ends. Like in club = weapon, club = golf stick, clubs = ♣️, "club-foot" deformation.

https://images.app.goo.gl/7FNaHmktoUhzTc7j7

Thank you Martin. All this seems plausible. The picture of the virus is beautiful, too beautiful for an ugly dangerous bug.

Title: Re: Club–like Spikes ?
Post by: MartinSR on March 30, 2020, 06:34:34 pm

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/club

I haven't looked for any scientific source of knowledge this time, but since we are "bombarded" by pictures of this virus recently, I noticed these spikes look like clubs. They are not pin-pointed, they become wider and maybe even rounded at their ends. Like in club = weapon, club = golf stick, clubs = ♣️, "club-foot" deformation.

https://images.app.goo.gl/7FNaHmktoUhzTc7j7

Title: Club–like Spikes ?
Post by: Sofia on March 30, 2020, 04:04:23 pm

Found on an article in the Guardian of today:

« A detailed analysis of the virus’s structure shows that the club-like “spikes” that it uses to establish infections latch on to human cells about four times more strongly than those on the related Sars coronavirus, which killed hundreds of people in a 2002 pandemic.« 

What does club-like mean in this context? I imagine the virus 🦠 round with lots of hooks that grip the cells in the respiratory track. But what does club mean here?