How does Viral Replication Work?

How does Viral Replication Work?

• Download PDF Copy

By Sara Ryding, B.Sc.Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.

Viruses cannot replicate on their own, but rather depend on their host cell’s protein synthesis pathways to reproduce. This typically occurs by the virus inserting its genetic material in host cells, co-opting the proteins to create viral replicates, until the cell bursts from the high volume of new viral particles.