Figure 21 2 B 1: Lytic versus lysogenic cycle: A temperate bacteriophage has both lytic and lysogenic cycles. In the lytic cycle, the phage replicates and lyses the host cell. In the lysogenic cycle, phage DNA is incorporated into the host genome, where it is passed on to subsequent generations.
Lytic vs lysogenic cycles: What's the difference? The lytic and lysogenic cycles are the two main phases of a virus’ infective lifecycle and route to replication.
The lytic cycle is known as the active cycle, whereas the lysogenic cycle is the dormant phase of the virus. Similar to the lytic cycle, it begins with the attachment and penetration of the virus.
In the lytic cycle, the viral DNA remains a separate, free-floating molecule within the bacterial cytoplasm. In contrast, the lysogenic cycle involves the viral genome integrating directly into the host’s chromosome, forming a prophage that is physically linked to the bacterial DNA.
While the lytic cycle is typically more immediate in its replication and release, the lysogenic cycle, upon activation, can shift to the lytic mode and produce copious viral particles.
While the lytic cycle results in the rapid destruction of the host cell, the lysogenic cycle allows the virus to persist within the host cell's DNA for an extended period before potentially entering the lytic cycle.
The difference between lysogenic and lytic cycles is that, in lysogenic cycles, the spread of the viral DNA occurs through the usual prokaryotic reproduction, whereas a lytic cycle is more immediate in that it results in many copies of the virus being created very quickly and the cell is destroyed.