All About Viruses and Bacteria

Virus Reproduction

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   Viruses must reproduce to survive. The process they use to do this is much different than any normal living thing. This is hoe a virus reproduces

     1.) Finding a Host Cell - A virus first lies dormant on a surface.  It awaits an environment where it can flourish. When you touch the virus it is on your hands, then when you touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or an open cut or sore it enters your body. There it senses a flourishing environment around it activates. Since a virus doesn't have a brain, it floats around in your body unable to search on it's own for a host cell. It eventually bumps will come in contact with a cell it can use.
 
    2.) Adsorption - Next the cell will attach itself to the host cell using its proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidases. The proteins on the virus act almost like a zipper does on your coat. Each side of your zipper is designed to fit into one another and hold in place. The proteins on the virus do some what of the same thing.

     3.) Entry - The virus then releases its genetic material or DNA/RNA into the host cell. The virus detaches itself from the cell and then dies. The DNA or RNA information takes over the cell and can now tell it what to do. The cell is now ready to make new viruses.

    4.) Replication - The cell then begins to make parts for new viruses. The parts are not yet assembled and are scattered within the cell.

     5.) Assembly - The virus parts then assemble and create multiple new viruses. The viruses then wait inside the cell until they are ready to release.

     6.) Release - The newly made virus cells break open the host cell and are released back into the body. The host cell then dies.