How do viruses reproduce?

Answer 1

Replication of Viruses

A virus "replicates" [the term often heard in place of "reproduces"] inside a host cell with the process called the Lytic Cycle. The details of the steps of the Lytic Cycle are in the related questions below in the Related Questions section.

Basically, once the virus has found a suitable host that is made up of the type of host cells that its virus type uses (i.e., plant, animal ~ including insects to humans, or bacteria), it attaches to the host. Then the virus implants the "key" to its genetic makeup into the cell. When this DNA "key" (or RNA in some viruses) of the virus is inserted into cells of a host, it allows the cells to be hijacked and, at the appropriate time for that particular virus, it instructs the host to make more virus particles. The virus can either lie dormant, such as in some cases of the HIV/AIDS virus, or immediately become active and command the host cell to start the replication processes.

If the virus becomes active, it can then turn the host cell into a 'factory' for making more viruses. The result usually, but not always, is that the host becomes ill because the cells are no longer functioning as they should for the host while working on the job of the replication. With each cycle of replication, the virus particles can invade even more and more cells until the host's immune system (or other defense) can catch up to kill the invader.

Mutations

Since they are non-living sub-microscopic organisms and not actually living animal or plant organisms (like bacteria and microscopic fungi are), viruses must combine with the living cells of hosts and change the genetic material in those host cells to cause them to begin to reproduce new virus particles, as described above, with the energy and raw materials being provided by the host. In addition, sometimes that assimilation can result in a mutation of the virus particles themselves that will change the makeup of the particles to a new strain of virus. This new strain can then also be replicated by the host's cells when that revised genetic material is inserted into them. Some viruses, like those of the common cold, can mutate very rapidly and this is one way they bypass the immune system's defenses and prevent our future immunity.

Viruses have a capsid, a covering on the virus that is made up of proteins (in different combination dependent on the strain). The mutation can alter the combination of these proteins in a way to evade the antibodies that were developed for the original protein combination. That will cause the host's immune system to start all over to have to develop new antibodies to fit the new and different capsid "shape" shedding and spreading more virus particles in the meantime to new hosts.
Conceptually, a virus is the blueprints for making a virus from a cell. Normally, the cell makes cells. When infected, however, the cell then makes viruses. More or less.

Answer 2

Replication of Viruses

A virus "replicates" [the term often heard in place of "reproduces"] inside a host cell with the process called the Lytic Cycle. The details of the steps of the Lytic Cycle are in the related questions below in the Related Questions section.

Basically, once the virus has found a suitable host that is made up of the type of host cells that its virus type uses (i.e., plant, animal ~ including insects to humans, or bacteria), it attaches to the host. Then the virus implants the "key" to its genetic makeup into the cell. When this DNA "key" (or RNA in some viruses) of the virus is inserted into cells of a host, it allows the cells to be hijacked and, at the appropriate time for that particular virus, it instructs the host to make more virus particles. The virus can either lie dormant, such as in some cases of the HIV/AIDS virus, or immediately become active and command the host cell to start the replication processes.

If the virus becomes active, it can then turn the host cell into a 'factory' for making more viruses. The result usually, but not always, is that the host becomes ill because the cells are no longer functioning as they should for the host while working on the job of the replication. With each cycle of replication, the virus particles can invade even more and more cells until the host's immune system (or other defense) can catch up to kill the invader.

Mutations

Since they are non-living sub-microscopic organisms and not actually living animal or plant organisms (like bacteria and microscopic fungi are), viruses must combine with the living cells of hosts and change the genetic material in those host cells to cause them to begin to reproduce new virus particles, as described above, with the energy and raw materials being provided by the host. In addition, sometimes that assimilation can result in a mutation of the virus particles themselves that will change the makeup of the particles to a new strain of virus. This new strain can then also be replicated by the host's cells when that revised genetic material is inserted into them. Some viruses, like those of the common cold, can mutate very rapidly and this is one way they bypass the immune system's defenses and prevent our future immunity.

Viruses have a capsid, a covering on the virus that is made up of proteins (in different combination dependent on the strain). The mutation can alter the combination of these proteins in a way to evade the antibodies that were developed for the original protein combination. That will cause the host's immune system to start all over to have to develop new antibodies to fit the new and different capsid "shape" shedding and spreading more virus particles in the meantime to new hosts.
Conceptually, a virus is the blueprints for making a virus from a cell. Normally, the cell makes cells. When infected, however, the cell then makes viruses. More or less.

Answer 3

Lytic cycle is one of the mode used by phages like T4 phage.
In general, virus need its host to propagate (replicate may be right, reproduce may not). Virus infect the host cells, insert its genetic material (can be RNA or DNA), integrate them into the host genome for the production of viral proteins and its own genetic material. They packages in the cytoplasm and leave the host.

Answer 4

Viruses reproduce in the invaded host cell by replicating their genes.