Quote:
Originally Posted by jinlo
This would suggest a Zombie is not simply decomposing, but in essence, also going through a process of cellular self-cannibalism. This is brilliant in its inherent logic. An undead organism is probably incapable of normal digestion and the creation of fat cells for energy storage. The internal consumption of what is now basically nonessential tissue matter would rectify this situation.
If this is true, it could be the game changer we've been looking for.
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But wait, there's more! This may answer a very important question posed earlier in the thread: Why do zombies eat people?
Follow me on this one.
Under the MVH theory, the virus uses the infected host (aka, the zombie) as both a mobile incubator and as a food source. The virus takes up residence throughout the body, infecting every cell and co-opting all normal cellular functions for its own purposes. Any energy it needs at first can simply be drawn from the cells of the host. Once infection spreads to the brain the virus is effectively behind the steering wheel, so to speak. Utilizing the nervous system for its own ends, the virus turns what was once a well adjusted member of society into a flesh-eating monster. But why?
Because, doing all this takes energy, and a lot of it. The virus could just eat cells inside the host, but after a short while this process would cause total decomposition of the host and leave the virus immobile without a new food source. The solution: just hyper-stimulate the part of the brain that controls hunger and the infected host will seek out a new supply of fresh meat. That steaming pile of chewed people stewing in the zombie's guts isn't digested in the normal human fashion, but it is broken down by the virus so that it doesn't have to eat the more functional parts of its host. So, while the host body isn't getting any nutrition out of the meal, the virus is chowing down. This means a well-fed zombie is going to be around for a good long time.
Under this theory, this makes the infections caused by zombie bites only a secondary effect of the virus's one and only motivation: food.