Question

What are the five steps of the lytic cycle of phage T4, a virulent phage?

Answer 1

The lytic cycle of phage T4 involves five steps: attachment, entry or penetration, biosynthesis, maturation, and release, resulting in the destruction of the bacterial cell and the spread of new phages.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lytic cycle of phage T4, a virulent phage, involves five key steps which are:

1. Attachment: The phage binds to specific bacterial surface receptors.
2. Entry or Penetration: The viral genome is injected into the host cell while other components remain outside.
3. Biosynthesis: The virus degrades the bacterial chromosome and uses the host to synthesize new viral components.
4. Maturation: New viruses are assembled within the host cell.
5. Release: Mature viruses burst out of the host cell through lysis, spreading to infect new cells.