Chapter Text
Introduction
I’d first like to preface this study by correcting some of the misconceptions ingrained in our society about quirk science. As it is known, there are two main biological features responsible for quirks - the Plus Alpha, the brain center that allows for control; and the Quirk factor.
The Quirk Factor
Quirk Factor Cells are highly mutable omnipotent cells, identifiable by their characteristic membrane protein QF0-69. This protein is often seen to be the one responsible for the quirk itself, through not yet uncovered quantum phenomena. All its applications are yet unknown, however, they were confirmed to cause embrionary changes in fetus development (rearranging cells, inducing multiplication, changing tissue characteristics). They can be found in the bloodstream and on quirk-affected areas of the body, and are sensitive to electrical currents, such as neuron cells.
Quirk diversity and uniqueness can be explained by the multiple gene segments that are responsible for encoding QF0-69, each one slightly different. At some point of development, they are mix-and-matched (in a process similar to antibody creation, although on a larger scale), creating unique proteins to each individual - with different effects. Similar quirks do not necessarily share similar protein conformations, as far as genetic studies have shown.
Because QFCells are known to be able to affect cell proliferation on a large scale, they are also shown to be important in neoplasm (cancerous or precancerous tumors) mechanisms.
Quirk classification
As it is, most modern categorization of quirks are based on macroscopic factors, such as the prevalent “Emitter, Transformation, Mutant” system, mainly because it offers a supposedly easy way of categorizing, by looks alone. However, not only this sort of separation is associated with quirk discrimination, but it also often excludes ambiguous quirks and prevents them from being correctly assessed. A better way of classification:
CONSTANT: Can't be voluntarily turned off, even if it's not a noticeable ‘Mutation quirk’. Someone who is always glowing, for example.
TRANSIENT: Can be voluntarily turned on and off.
Those can be, then, breached out as to external or internal effect, and specific or general, regarding the area of the body that is affected by quirk factor cells. Secondary quirks (such as fire resistance to a fire user) are to be considered as one with the ‘main’ quirk.
Now that we’ve established or basics, we can move on to the fun part!