Figure 7: Model showing the evolution from virus attachment to a prokaryotic cell through to virus mineralization.

(1) Virus attachment to specific receptors on prokaryotic cell walls; (2) injection of genetic material inside the cell by tail contraction; (3) disruption of the host’s normal metabolism leading to manufacture of viral products; (4) virus assemblage within the infected cell; (5) viruses released outside the prokaryotic cell after cell lysis; (6) Mg-Si permineralization of viruses concomitant with prokaryotic cells in dysoxic conditions; (7) incorporation of calcium into Mg-Si polygons and spheres; (8) replacement of _amMg-Si-Ca phases by Mg-carbonate; (9) mineralized viruses in microbial mat carbonate layers occurring as distinct nanometer-scale spheroids.