virustenimikkeet

Virustenimikkeet refers to the naming conventions used for viruses. Unlike the binomial nomenclature system used for other organisms, viruses do not have a universally standardized system of scientific names. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) is responsible for establishing a unified virus taxonomy, but the naming of individual viruses has historically been less structured.

Historically, virus names have often been derived from various sources. Some names reflect the disease they cause, such as poliomyelitis virus or influenza virus. Others are named after the location where they were first discovered, like Ebola virus or Marburg virus. Some names are based on their morphology or structure, for example, bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) are named for their "eating" of bacteria. Furthermore, names can be derived from the host organism they infect, such as adenovirus (from the respiratory tract's adenoid tissue).

The ICTV system aims to create a hierarchical classification, including orders, families, subfamilies, genera, and species. However, common names for viruses, often based on the historical origins mentioned above, remain widely used and recognized in scientific literature and public discourse. The ICTV endeavors to ensure that these common names are consistent with the established taxonomy, but the process of naming is ongoing and subject to revision as our understanding of virology evolves. This can lead to situations where a virus has both a commonly used name and a more formal taxonomic designation.