Final answer:
Viral replication is the process by which a virus reproduces inside a host cell, using the host's cellular machinery to make copies of itself, leading to cell damage or death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which a virus replicates within a host cell is called replication. During this process, the virus attaches to the host cell, penetrates the cell membrane, and injects its genetic material. The host cell's machinery is then used to replicate the viral DNA, synthesize viral proteins, and assemble new virus particles, ultimately leading to the release of these new virions through lysis or budding. Viral replication can cause the host cell to undergo structural and biochemical changes, often resulting in cell damage or death, and may lead to the symptoms associated with viral infections.