丧尸末日科学：英语精读讲义

History is full of stories of demons and other otherworldly creatures

历史上充斥着恶魔和其他异界生物

coming into our world and wreaking havoc on society. 短語搭配

闯入我们的世界、给社会带来浩劫的故事。

But what does science have to say about zombies? 表達脈絡

但科学如何看待丧尸呢？

Are these ferocious freaks plausible or scientifically accurate in any way? 用詞

这些凶残的怪物真的有可能存在，或者具备任何科学依据吗？

Should we be preparing for a zombie apocalypse? 語法

我们是否该为丧尸末日做好准备？

Well, it depends on what type of zombie we're talking about. 語氣意圖

这得看我们说的是哪一种丧尸。

Dying and coming back from the dead?

死后复生？

Not so likely. 語氣意圖

这种可能性不大。

But a virus that induces zombie-like qualities of rage

但如果有一种病毒，能让人像丧尸一样狂暴

and the incessant need to eat human flesh?

并抑制不住地想吃人肉呢？

Hypothetically, yes. 用詞

从理论上说，有可能。

The main factor involved is finding a virus

关键在于找到一种病毒，

specific to the brain areas for these symptoms

它只针对负责这些症状的脑区，

while leaving other areas intact. 講解

同时不损伤其他区域。

Viruses can enter the body and affect cells in many ways,

病毒能进入人体，并以多种方式影响细胞，

but we're going to focus on the neurons. 表達脈絡

但我们要重点关注的是神经元。

Neurons are some of the longest cells

神经元是人体内最长的细胞之一，

and can transport molecules and proteins across the entire body.

可以把分子和蛋白质运送到全身各处。

Many viruses such as rabies

许多病毒，比如狂犬病病毒，

take advantage of something called retrograde axonal transport 講解

会利用一种叫作“轴突逆向运输”的机制，

to travel from their entry point to where they want to be.

从侵入点前往它们想去的地方。

In the case of rabies, 表達脈絡

以狂犬病为例，

the virus can enter anywhere

病毒可以从身体任何部位侵入，

and slowly make its way 短語搭配

然后缓慢地一路前进，

to your brain or central nervous system.

最终抵达你的大脑或中枢神经系统。

The farther it starts physically from your brain, 語法

它最初入侵的位置离大脑越远，

the longer it will take to get there,

抵达那里所需的时间就越长，

sometimes years.

有时甚至要好几年。

But once it's there,

但它一旦抵达，

it's generally too late.

通常就为时已晚了。

Many viruses follow a similar system

许多病毒都遵循类似的机制，

with the only difference being which neurons they're specific to. 語法

唯一的区别在于它们专门针对哪些神经元。

This zombie virus would have to use specific neurons 語法

这种丧尸病毒必须利用特定的神经元，

to affect particular parts of the brain

才能影响大脑的特定部位，

to induce a zombie state

诱发丧尸状态，

without damaging the entire brain. 語法

同时又不损伤整个大脑。

Sound unlikely? 語氣意圖

听起来不太可能？

Well, it just so happens that the olfactory nerve, 講解

巧的是，嗅神经

which is in your nose and used for scent,

位于鼻子里，负责嗅觉，

leads directly to some areas of the brain

并直接通向大脑中的某些区域，

that could cause zombified effects.

而这些区域可能引发丧尸化效应。

and would leave other areas of the brain intact.

同时，大脑的其他区域仍能保持完好。

Specifically, it leads to the ventromedial hypothalamus, 文化背景

具体来说，它通向下丘脑腹内侧区，

which tells you you're full,

这个区域会告诉你已经吃饱了；

the amygdala, which controls emotion and memory,

还通向控制情绪和记忆的杏仁核，

and the frontal cortex responsible for problem solving,

以及额叶皮层，它负责解决问题，

morality, and inhibiting impulsive action.

也负责道德判断和抑制冲动行为。

Essentially, transmission of a virus through the olfactory nerve 表達脈絡

简而言之，一种病毒如果通过嗅神经传播，

could create super hungry, aggressive, brain-dead beings 用詞

就可能制造出极度饥饿、充满攻击性且失去心智的生物，

that can't recognize family and friends

它们认不出家人和朋友，

or control their own actions other than to feed. 語法

也无法控制自己的行为，只知道进食。

Sounds kind of like a zombie. 語氣意圖

听起来还真像丧尸。

So while the picture of a rotting or invincible zombie 語法

所以，尽管那种腐烂不堪或无敌的丧尸形象

may be less than likely,

不太可能成为现实，

with the right virus nerve specificity,

但只要病毒具备合适的神经特异性，

a form of zombies could be possible.

某种形式的丧尸就可能出现。

Will you be ready?

到时候，你准备好了吗？

Got a burning question you want answered? 習語

你有没有一个迫切想知道答案的问题？

Ask it in the comments or on Facebook and Twitter

欢迎在评论区或 Facebook、Twitter 上提问，

and subscribe for more weekly science videos.

记得订阅，收看每周更新的更多科学视频。