Final answer:
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells are responsible for lysing infected cells, CTLs through targeted apoptosis triggered by antigen recognition, and NK cells via innate identification of altered MHC I molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells that lyse infected cells are primarily Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and Natural Killer (NK) cells. CTLs, part of the adaptive immune system, directly kill cells by sensing MHC I-embedded antigens through their T-cell receptors (TCRs). Upon binding, CTLs release perforin and granzymes, which induce apoptosis in infected cells. Unlike CTLs, NK cells are a component of the innate immune system and destroy infected or cancerous cells by recognizing the absence or altered expression of MHC I molecules. Together, these mechanisms prevent the proliferation of the pathogen and halt the progression of infection.