喪屍末日科學：英語精讀講義

History is full of stories of demons and other otherworldly creatures

歷史上充斥著惡魔和其他異界生物

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

闖入我們的世界、給社會帶來浩劫的故事。

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

但科學如何看待活屍呢？

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

這些兇殘的怪物真的有可能存在，或具備任何科學依據嗎？

Should we be preparing for a zombie apocalypse? 文法

我們是否該為活屍末日做好準備？

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

這得看我們說的是哪一種活屍。

Dying and coming back from the dead?

死後復生？

Not so likely. 語氣意圖

這種可能性不高。

But a virus that induces zombie-like qualities of rage

但如果有一種病毒，能讓人像活屍一樣狂暴

and the incessant need to eat human flesh?

並抑制不住地想吃人肉呢？

Hypothetically, yes. 用詞

理論上，有可能。

The main factor involved is finding a virus

關鍵在於找到一種病毒，

specific to the brain areas for these symptoms

它只針對負責這些症狀的腦區，

while leaving other areas intact. 講解

同時不傷害其他區域。

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

病毒能進入人體，並以許多方式影響細胞，

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

但我們要聚焦的是神經元。

Neurons are some of the longest cells

神經元是人體中最長的細胞之一，

and can transport molecules and proteins across the entire body.

能將分子和蛋白質運送到全身各處。

Many viruses such as rabies

許多病毒，例如狂犬病病毒，

take advantage of something called retrograde axonal transport 講解

會利用一種叫做「軸突逆向運輸」的機制，

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

從入侵點前往它們想去的地方。

In the case of rabies, 表達脈絡

以狂犬病為例，

the virus can enter anywhere

病毒可以從身體任何部位入侵，

and slowly make its way 片語搭配

再慢慢一路前進，

to your brain or central nervous system.

最後抵達你的大腦或中樞神經系統。

The farther it starts physically from your brain, 文法

最初入侵的位置離大腦越遠，

the longer it will take to get there,

抵達那裡所需的時間就越長，

sometimes years.

有時甚至要好幾年。

But once it's there,

但它一旦抵達，

it's generally too late.

通常就為時已晚。

Many viruses follow a similar system

許多病毒都遵循類似的機制，

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

唯一的差別在於它們專門針對哪些神經元。

This zombie virus would have to use specific neurons 文法

這種活屍病毒必須利用特定的神經元，

to affect particular parts of the brain

才能影響大腦的特定部位，

to induce a zombie state

引發活屍狀態，

without damaging the entire brain. 文法

同時不傷害整個大腦。

Sound unlikely? 語氣意圖

聽起來不太可能？

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

巧的是，嗅神經

which is in your nose and used for scent,

位於鼻子裡，負責嗅覺，

leads directly to some areas of the brain

並直接通往大腦中的某些區域，

that could cause zombified effects.

而這些區域可能引發活屍化效應。

and would leave other areas of the brain intact.

同時，大腦的其他區域仍能保持完好。

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

具體來說，它通往下視丘腹內側區，

which tells you you're full,

這個區域會告訴你已經吃飽了；

the amygdala, which controls emotion and memory,

還通往控制情緒和記憶的杏仁核，

and the frontal cortex responsible for problem solving,

以及額葉皮質，它負責解決問題，

morality, and inhibiting impulsive action.

也負責道德判斷與抑制衝動行為。

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

簡單來說，病毒若透過嗅神經傳播，

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

就可能造出極度飢餓、充滿攻擊性且失去心智的生物，

that can't recognize family and friends

這些生物認不出家人和朋友，

or control their own actions other than to feed. 文法

也無法控制自己的行為，只知道進食。

Sounds kind of like a zombie. 語氣意圖

聽起來還真像活屍。

So while the picture of a rotting or invincible zombie 文法

所以，儘管那種腐爛不堪或無敵的活屍形象

may be less than likely,

不太可能成真，

with the right virus nerve specificity,

但只要病毒具備適當的神經專一性，

a form of zombies could be possible.

某種形式的活屍仍可能出現。

Will you be ready?

到時候，你準備好了嗎？

Got a burning question you want answered? 慣用語

你有沒有一個迫切想知道答案的問題？

Ask it in the comments or on Facebook and Twitter

歡迎在留言區，或到 Facebook 和 Twitter 上提問，

and subscribe for more weekly science videos.

記得訂閱，收看每週更新的更多科學影片。