Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
In the context of bacteriophages, how are lysogenic phages different from lytic phages?
A
Lysogenic phages only infect eukaryotic cells, while lytic phages infect prokaryotic cells.
B
Lysogenic phages replicate independently of the host cell, while lytic phages require host machinery.
C
Lysogenic phages immediately destroy the host cell, while lytic phages integrate into the host genome.
D
Lysogenic phages integrate their DNA into the host genome, while lytic phages do not.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the basic life cycles of bacteriophages: Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that infect bacteria. They have two main life cycles: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle.
Differentiate between the lytic and lysogenic cycles: In the lytic cycle, the phage takes over the host cell's machinery to replicate its own genetic material, leading to the production of new phage particles and eventually causing the host cell to lyse (burst), releasing the new phages.
Explore the lysogenic cycle: In the lysogenic cycle, the phage's DNA is integrated into the host cell's genome, becoming a prophage. This integrated DNA is replicated along with the host cell's DNA when the cell divides, allowing the phage to persist in the host without destroying it.
Clarify the integration process: Lysogenic phages have the ability to integrate their genetic material into the host's genome, which is a key difference from lytic phages that do not integrate but instead replicate independently and cause cell lysis.
Summarize the key distinction: The main difference is that lysogenic phages integrate their DNA into the host genome, allowing them to remain dormant and replicate with the host cell, while lytic phages do not integrate and instead lead to the destruction of the host cell through lysis.