Final answer:
A temperate phage can enter either the lytic cycle, where it replicates and destroys the host cell, or the lysogenic cycle, where its DNA integrates with the host's genome and is replicated with it.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temperate phages are those that can enter either the lytic or lysogenic cycle. In the lytic cycle, the temperate phage replicates and eventually causes lysis of the host cell, leading to the release of new phage particles. Contrastingly, in the lysogenic cycle, the phage DNA is incorporated into the host genome as a prophage, become a part of the host's DNA, and is replicated alongside the cell's own DNA during cell division.
However, environmental stressors can trigger a prophage to exit the lysogenic state and enter the lytic cycle, leading to the destruction of the host cell and release of new viruses. This dual capability enables temperate phages to play a complex role in bacterial ecosystems, affecting both the survival and the genetic diversity of their host populations.