2006-12-28 11:02:23 · 11 answers · asked by Brian 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The evolutionary purpose of the cold is to survive, just like any living thing on earth. It is a virus, it lives (sort of) to multiply and spread. It does that by invading your mucus membranes.
2006-12-28 11:53:36 · answer #1 · answered by rhythm.nbass 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the cold germ or virus, it is a reproductive method. Infect the host and produce zillions of copies. Cause the host to sneeze, excrete mucus, and all those copies get spread around. Yahoo!
For the host, there is no evolutionary purpose.
2006-12-28 11:07:29 · answer #2 · answered by JJ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What do you mean? That's like asking what the evolutionary purpose of a chicken is.
2006-12-28 11:07:17 · answer #3 · answered by James T 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The evolutionary " purpose " ( metaphor ) of the rhino virus, that is the common cold, is to replicate it's genetic material, using our cells to do it.
2006-12-28 14:00:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"evolutionary purpose" is a meaningless term, there is no "evolutionary purpose", things exist because they are able to survive, the same goes for viruses, their only purpose is to exist and multiply
2006-12-28 12:15:06 · answer #5 · answered by Nick F 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Like a lot of things the body does to defend itself this is an over reaction. If the heart is having problems it will enlarge. The body will shut down, and sacrifice, extremities to keep the core temperature up. Unfortunately, with both cold and allergies the body's response it to flush out the pathogens with enough snot to fill lake Guayaquil.
2006-12-28 11:12:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A virus is a life form of it's own. It needs a host in which to reproduce. We don't just spontaneously develop colds. We catch them by getting infected by another lifeform.
2006-12-28 11:15:07 · answer #7 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Viruses exist to reproduce themselves. Evolution has no "purpose".
2006-12-28 11:33:03 · answer #8 · answered by novangelis 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The same as everything else, perpetuating its' genes.
2006-12-30 23:31:55 · answer #9 · answered by corvis_9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to strengthen your immune system.
2006-12-28 11:43:59 · answer #10 · answered by Scorpius59 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋