Lytic cycle

Lytic cycle is a phase in the life cycle of certain viruses, particularly bacteriophages, during which the virus causes the host cell to produce more viral particles. This process often results in the destruction, or lysis, of the host cell.

Overview

The lytic cycle is one of two cycles of viral reproduction, the other being the lysogenic cycle. The lytic cycle results in the destruction of the infected cell and its membrane. The process of the lytic cycle is used by viruses to replicate and involves several stages: attachment, penetration, biosynthesis, maturation, and lysis.

Stages

Attachment

In the attachment stage, the virus attaches itself to a specific receptor site on the membrane of the host cell.

Penetration

During penetration, the virus injects its genetic material into the host cell.

Biosynthesis

In the biosynthesis stage, the virus uses the host cell's machinery to replicate its genetic material and produce viral proteins.

Maturation

During maturation, new viral particles are assembled from the newly synthesized proteins and genetic material.

Lysis

In the lysis stage, the newly formed viruses burst out of the host cell, causing its destruction, and go on to infect other cells.

Lytic cycle vs Lysogenic cycle

While the lytic cycle involves the replication of viruses and destruction of the host cell, the lysogenic cycle involves the incorporation of the viral DNA into the host cell's DNA, allowing the virus to replicate without killing the host cell.

See also

• Virus
• Bacteriophage
• Lysogenic cycle
• Viral replication

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