Editing Lytic cycle (section)

== Attachment and penetration ==
To infect a host cell, the virus must first inject its own nucleic acid into the cell through the [[plasma membrane]] and (if present) the cell wall. The virus does so by either attaching to a receptor on the cell's surface or by simple mechanical force. The binding is due to electrostatic interactions and is influenced by pH and the presence of ions. The virus then releases its genetic material (either single- or double-stranded [[RNA]] or [[DNA]]) into the cell. In some viruses this genetic material is circular and mimics a bacterial [[plasmid]]. At this stage the cell becomes infected and can also be targeted by the immune system. It is mostly aided by receptors on the surface of the cell.{{cn|date=October 2022}}  The sequence of events that occur during initiation of [[bacteriophage]] infection, from adsorption (attachment) through [[DNA]] ejection from the virion into the host cell (penetration), was reviewed by Molineux.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Molineux |first1=Ian J. |title=Fifty-three years since Hershey and Chase; much ado about pressure but which pressure is it? |journal=Virology |date=January 2006 |volume=344 |issue=1 |pages=221–229 |doi=10.1016/j.virol.2005.09.014}}</ref>