What term describes the process of a virus causing a host cell to burst to release new viruses?

The process in which a virus causes a host cell to burst in order to release new viruses is referred to as lysis. This is a crucial step in the viral life cycle, particularly for lytic viruses. During lysis, the viral particles, after being replicated within the host cell, accumulate to a point where they cause the cell membrane to rupture. This results in the death of the host cell and the release of new virions, allowing the virus to infect additional cells and propagate the infection.

In contrast, fusion describes the merging of a virus with the host cell membrane to gain entry, typically without immediate cell destruction. Replication refers to the process whereby the virus's genetic material is copied within the host cell. Integration pertains to the incorporation of viral DNA into the host's genome, which may not immediately lead to cell lysis. Understanding lysis is fundamental in virology, as it has implications in viral pathogenesis and the development of antiviral therapies.