Lytic cycle

Lytic cycle The lytic cycle is one of the two cycles of viral reproduction, the other being the lysogenic cycle. These cycles should not, however, be seen as discrete and separate, but rather as somewhat interchangeable.

Lytic cycle The development of a bacteriophage, either after infection of a host bacterium or after induction of a prophage, resulting in production and release of free progeny phage particles, and lysis of the host cell.

lytic cycle (lit-ik) A type of viral replication cycle resulting in the release of new phages by death or lysis of the host cell.

lytic cycle The steps in viral production that usually lead to cell lysis.

The lytic cycle is one in which the virus takes over operation of the bacterium immediately upon entering it, with the production of new viruses and their subsequent release destroying the bacterium.

Bacteriophages may have a lytic cycle or a lysogenic cycle, but a few viruses are capable of carrying out both. With lytic phages such as the T4 phage, bacterial cells are broken open (lysed) and destroyed after immediate replication of the virion.

Lysogeny In some cases, though, the events of the lytic cycle are not completed. E. coli infected by a DNA bacteriophage may resume its normal existence, including reproducing itself. Where has the virus gone?

See also: Trans, Enzyme, Cell, Bacteria, Cells