Thread:Ho ho guy/@comment-28568547-20160727132313/@comment-28568547-20160727132346

Characteristics of the Zerg

A great deal of information has been ascertained as to the nature of zerg physiology and psychology, such as through the Terran Confederacy's Project Bellwood,[81] and the Terran Dominion's Project Blackstone.[82] All zerg breeds are efficient killers and/or possess abilities that will aid the Swarm in the destruction of its enemies.[1]

The primal zerg maintain the genome of the zerg species before the creation of the Overmind.[83] After this, when the zerg deviated from their primal counterparts, the Swarm reduced their physical appearance to essential fighting components.[84] The zerg as a whole are extremely tough, tenacious, and deadly. Their natural armor and weaponry is comparable to modern technology in terms of toughness and armor-piercing capabilities. The zerg are extremely resistant to chemical agents,[85] but their biological nature still renders them vulnerable to concentrated radiation,[1] such as sigma radiation.[86]

All zerg strains are capable of operating in a variety of environments, and some can operate in the vacuum of space.[87] Most zerg are not adapted for space travel by themselves, but are carried by larger zerg such as leviathans. Space-borne zerg either have vast stores of oxygen or have been adapted to not require it.[88]

Zerg must eat and rest, but do not require extended hours of sleep and have no set periods of inactivity.[38] Left unchecked, zerg multiply at an alarming rate.[89] Zerg strains gain nutrients from creep, but can consume other animals for nourishment if the situation demands it.[90] Zerg do not die of old age.

Most zerg ground strains are also capable of burrowing and digging through virtually any surface, using groups of tiny muscles that vibrate at a low frequency and grind dirt and stone along their way, allowing them to "swim through the ground".[86] This ability made them extremely deadly in ambush situations, as many terran or protoss forces suffered losses when suddenly being surrounded by a mass of enemy zerg units.[91] All zerg ground strains move faster on creep than they do on normal ground due to microscopic filaments within the substance that allow them to 'skate' over it.[92]

Before hatching, a zerg specimen has two cell types in general: Type A creates different mutations, while B cells hunt them to feed their own procreation (probably, the same is applied reversely). Upon hatching, the specimen of a certain strain is a result of the Darwin's theory of evolution on a cellular level; it is made of the strongest strain mutations that survived.

Zerg possess remarkable regenerative capabilities. Their alpha amino acids possess unique R groups that allow dead cell matter to be combined with normal proteins to create new cells. Under normal circumstances, zerg may regenerate indefinitely; a radically changing cell structure is a by-product of the process, as well as high quantity of energy in the process.[86] Given time, even a gravely wounded zerg will return to full health. Thus, a zerg colony remains viable if even one creature or structure survives.[1] Few zerg survive for more than a few minutes in a given battle, but those that do evolve during the battle itself, becoming more powerful every hour.[93] The zerg constantly study their enemies and adapt accordingly.[94]

Zerg structures are essentially giant organs and draw sustenance from creep, a thick carpet-like substance that integrates a colony's structures as one macro-organism.[1] Compound B-5801 provides their structural basis.[95]

The zerg are obsessed with detecting subtler motions and more advanced camuflauge techniques.[96]

GeneticsEdit

Like terrans and protoss, zerg genetic material consists of DNA,[97] seemingly in the shape of a double helix.[91] However, when a zerg strain's DNA evolves, it becomes less flexible.[39] Apart from the overlord, every zerg strain ever encountered by terrans has been a custom mix of DNA, to the extent that no non-overlord strain bears much genetic resemblance to the organism(s) that spawned it. Dr. Talen Ayers theorized that the zerg are unwilling to too deeply alter the genetic makeup of organisms with psionic potential, as even the slightest of genetic changes can remove said potential. This would, in his mind, explain the genetic similarities in this case.[82]

The zerg like to pit themselves against harsh climates, using a planet's harsh conditions to further their own evolution.[98] In regards to assimilating the genetic material of other species, the zerg were initially very selective, assimilating only strong species at the top of their food chains and eradicating 'lesser species' lest they corrupt the purity of the zerg genome.[1] Under Kerrigan, the situation changed, and the zerg were willing to assimilate any material they came across.[98] The zerg genetic landscape is constantly changing, to the extent where using terms such as "mutant" (mutation being a permanant change to an organism's genetic code) can be considered to be a misnomer.[82]

Zerg DNA is "antithetical" to protoss DNA and they cannot infest protoss under normal conditions. In addition, protoss psionic powers (Khala and Void) protect the protoss.[99] The protoss are the only known species that the zerg have failed to assimilate.[100] However, their DNA can be artificially combined, creating hybrids.[99]