Lytic and lysogenic infections

LYTIC AND LYSOGENIC INFECTION

  • In lytic infection by a phage the virus replication occurs and the progeny are released by lysing the bacterial cell.
  • In lysogeny the viral DNA is incorporated in to the host DNA and becomes a prophage in the bacterial chromosome.
  • The bacterium multiplies normally and the viral DNA is transmitted to daughter cells in successive generations. Some times the viral DNA is removed from the host chromosome and the lytic cycle occurs. This process is called spontaneous induction.
  • Infection of the bacterium with temperate phage can be detected by the resistance to infection by the same or related phages and induction to produce phage particles. Induction can be done by exposure to UV light or some chemicals.
Last modified: Tuesday, 21 September 2010, 5:08 AM