* Viruses are not living organisms. They lack the machinery to replicate independently. They need to hijack the cellular machinery of a living host to reproduce.
* Viruses are essentially packages of genetic material (DNA or RNA) encased in a protein coat. This genetic material contains the instructions for creating more viruses.
* To replicate, a virus must enter a host cell and inject its genetic material. This genetic material takes over the cell's processes, forcing the cell to produce new viral components.
* The new viral components assemble into new viruses, which are then released from the host cell, often destroying it in the process. This process continues, allowing the virus to spread and infect more cells.
In short, viruses are obligate intracellular parasites. They rely entirely on a host cell to replicate and survive.
