Viral replication

Viral Replication

Viral replication is the process by which a virus makes copies of itself within a host organism. The process can be divided into several stages: attachment, penetration, uncoating, replication, assembly, and release.

Pronunciation

Viral: /ˈvʌɪrəl/
Replication: /ˌrɛplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/

Etymology

Viral: From Latin virus meaning "poison, sap of plants, slimy liquid"
Replication: From Latin replicare meaning "to fold back, repeat"

Stages of Viral Replication

Attachment - The virus attaches itself to specific receptors on the surface of the host cell.
Penetration - The virus penetrates the host cell and injects its genetic material into it.
Uncoating - The viral capsid is removed, releasing the viral genetic material inside the host cell.
Replication - The viral genetic material uses the host cell's machinery to replicate itself.
Assembly - New viral particles are assembled from the newly synthesized viral proteins and genetic material.
Release - The newly formed viruses are released from the host cell, either by causing the cell to burst or by budding off from the cell membrane.

Related Terms

Virus - A small infectious agent that can only replicate inside the living cells of an organism.
Host (biology) - An organism that harbors a parasitic, a mutualistic, or a commensalist guest (symbiont).
Capsid - The protein shell of a virus, enclosing its genetic material.
Receptor (biochemistry) - A protein molecule that receives chemical signals from outside a cell.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Viral replication
Wikipedia's article - Viral replication

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