Question

Can viruses reproduce asexually?

Answer 1

Asexual Reproduction

1. Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction in which offspring is produced by single parents.
2. New offspring are genetically and physically identical to each other.
3. Asexual reproduction occurs in both unicellular and multicellular organisms.
4. There is no gamete fertilization in asexual reproduction.
5. Budding, spore formation, and fragmentation are a few types of asexual reproduction.

Virus

1. Viruses are microscopic infectious entities that are known for causing disease by infecting all living cells.
2. Viruses have either DNA or RNA as their genetic material.
3. They require living host cells for replication.
4. Example Monkeypox virus, Tobacco mosaic virus.
5. Viruses reproduce by lytic and lysogenic cycles.
6. In the lytic cycle, viruses attach to the host cell and use their machinery for replication and from proteins and these proteins act like virions.
7. In the lysogenic cycle virus attach to the host cell and inject their DNA into the host cell this DNA is incorporated into the host cell's DNA.
8. Each time the host cell goes for replication viral DNA also replicates.
9. Some viruses replicate by both lytic and lysogenic cycles.
10. Since viruses do not involve the formation of gametes, they are considered to reproduce asexually.