The process through which viruses replicate is known as the lytic cycle. During this cycle, a virus infects a host cell, taking over the cell's machinery to produce multiple copies of itself. Initially, the viral DNA or RNA is injected into the host cell, leading to the synthesis of viral components, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Once sufficient viral particles are produced, they assemble within the host cell.
Ultimately, the host cell becomes overwhelmed with the new viral particles, leading to cell lysis, where the cell membrane breaks apart, releasing the newly formed viruses into the surrounding environment. These new viruses can then infect other host cells, continuing the cycle of infection. Understanding the lytic cycle is crucial in virology as it describes one of the primary mechanisms by which viruses propagate.
The other processes, such as binary fission, budding, and transformation, do not apply to viral replication. Binary fission is a method of reproduction in prokaryotes (like bacteria), while budding refers to a type of asexual reproduction found in some fungi and yeasts. Transformation involves the uptake of foreign DNA by a cell, commonly observed in bacteria, rather than a method of virus replication.