Final answer:
During the lytic cycle, a bacteriophage interacts with the bacterial cell surface, leading to the injection of its genetic material and the subsequent takeover of the host cell's machinery for viral replication.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the lytic cycle, a bacteriophage is interacting at the surface of the bacterial cell. The process begins with the attachment phase, where the phage binds to specific bacterial surface receptors such as lipopolysaccharides and proteins like OmpC. Following this, the phage injects its genetic material into the bacterial cell, while the capsid remains outside. This interaction leads to the eventual takeover of the host's cellular machinery to produce new viral components, culminating in the lysis of the bacterial cell and the release of newly formed virions.