1. Viruses must replicate their genomes to produce new virus particles. This requires the expression of viral proteins after infection. 2. DNA replication is initiated at specific origin sites using RNA primers and proceeds in the 5' to 3' direction. Host cell proteins also contribute to viral DNA replication. 3. Large DNA viruses encode most of their own replication machinery, while smaller viruses utilize host cell proteins and orchestrate the replication process through viral proteins.