When a giant virus infects a host cell (such as an amoeba), it creates a “viral factory” inside the host to replicate itself.If a virophage is present, it invades that same factory and uses its machinery to replicate itself instead — often sabotaging or suppressing the giant virus in the process.Famous example:The Sputnik virophage, discovered in 2008, was the first known virophage. It infects the giant Mimivirus and can weaken or destroy it, limiting its replication.Why it matters:• Virophages