Lysogenic Viruses

Lysogenic Viruses, also known as temperate phages, follow a distinct life cycle characterized by the integration of their genetic material into the host cell's genome. The lysogenic cycle begins with the attachment and entry of the viral genome into the host bacterium. Instead of immediately initiating the lytic cycle (where the virus replicates and destroys the host cell), Lysogenic Viruses integrate their DNA into the host chromosome, forming a prophage. Integration is facilitated by viral enzymes that catalyze the recombination between the viral and host DNA. Once integrated, the prophage remains dormant within the bacterial chromosome, replicating along with the host during cell division. The host bacterium, now harboring the prophage, is referred to as a lysogen. Under certain conditions, such as stress or environmental cues, the lysogenic virus can undergo induction, switching from the lysogenic to the lytic cycle. This results in the excision of the prophage from the bacterial chromosome and the resumption of the typical viral replication and cell lysis. Lysogeny provides advantages for both the virus and the host bacterium. The virus gains a stable environment for its genetic material, and the bacterium may acquire new genetic traits through lysogenic conversion, influencing its phenotype.

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