- The virus first attaches to the surface of a host cell.

- The virus then injects its genetic material, which is either RNA or DNA.

Step 2:Replication

- The host cell's machinery is then used to replicate the virus's genetic material.

Step 3: Assembly

- Once enough viral particles have been made, they begin to assemble themselves.

- Many copies of the viral genome are made using the host cell's machinery.

- The viral genome is then packaged into new viral capsids.

Step 4: Release

- Once assembled, the viruses burst out of the cell through a process called lysis.

- This can kill the host cell.

- The new viruses can then infect other cells and repeat the cycle.

Some viruses, such as HIV, use a different replication strategy called reverse transcription. In this process, the virus's RNA is first converted into DNA, which is then integrated into the host cell's own genome. This allows the virus to hide from the immune system and persist in the body for a long time.