Viruses

Question 1

What are viruses

Answer 1

Viruses are not cells; they consist of a protein coat surrounding genetic material.
Reproduction only occurs inside host cells, which they infect to replicate.

Question 2

Lytic pathway

Answer 2

Virus attaches to a host cell and injects its genetic material.

The host cell replicates the viral genetic material and assembles new virus particles.

The host cell bursts (lysis), releasing the new viruses, which go on to infect other cells.

Question 3

Lysogenic pathway:

Answer 3

Viral genetic material integrates into the host cell’s DNA, remaining inactive.

It replicates along with the host cell DNA whenever the host cell divides.

At some point, a trigger (e.g. a chemical stimulus) causes the viral DNA to exit dormancy and enter the lytic pathway, starting active virus reproduction.