Quasispecies theory

Quasispecies theory describes how populations of rapidly changing organisms, like viruses, exist not as a single, fixed type but as a diverse group of slightly different variants. These variants constantly mutate, creating a cloud of related forms. The collective behavior and adaptability of this group allow the population to survive threats like immune responses or drugs. In essence, instead of one perfect version, a virus exists as a dynamic mix, which enables it to adapt quickly and persist in changing environments.