How do viruses replicate their genetic material?

Viruses replicate their genetic material by hijacking the reproductive processes of a host cell. When a virus infects a cell, it injects its genetic material into the host. The viral genetic material then takes control of the cell's machinery, redirecting it to produce new viral components—such as proteins and nucleic acids—using the host's resources. This includes the replication of the viral genome, which is then assembled into new virus particles. Once the assembly is complete, the new viruses are released from the host cell, often destroying it in the process. This method of replication is fundamentally distinct from cellular organisms, which replicate their DNA through cellular mitosis or meiosis. Understanding this process underlines the parasitic nature of viruses and their reliance on living cells for reproduction.