list the steps on active virus follows when attacking a cell.
When a virus attacks a cell, it follows several steps to successfully infect and replicate within the cell. The process can vary depending on the type of virus, but here are the general steps involved:
1. Attachment: The virus attaches itself to the surface of the host cell. This is often facilitated by specific proteins on the virus's surface that bind to complementary receptor proteins on the cell.
2. Entry: The virus enters the cell, either by fusing its viral envelope with the cell membrane or by being engulfed into a vesicle formed by the cell membrane.
3. Uncoating: Once inside the cell, the virus releases its genetic material (DNA or RNA) from the protective protein coat (capsid). This allows the viral genome to be accessible for replication and to take control of the host cell's machinery.
4. Replication and Transcription: The viral genome uses the host cell's resources to replicate its genetic material and produce viral components. This process can involve hijacking the cell's machinery, enzymes, and energetics to synthesize viral proteins and replicate the viral genome.
5. Assembly: The newly synthesized viral components come together within the host cell to assemble new virus particles (virions). This may include the formation of a new viral envelope if the virus had one.
6. Release: The matured virus particles are released from the infected cell, either by budding (where the virus acquires an envelope from the host cell's membrane) or by cell lysis, which destroys the cell membrane and releases the mature virus particles.
7. Spreading: The released virus particles can then infect neighboring cells, starting the cycle anew.
It's important to note that this is a general overview of the steps a virus often follows when attacking a cell. The specific details may vary depending on the type of virus and the host organism.