Final answer:
Lysis is the process that results in the destruction of host cells, typically occurring during the lytic cycle of a virus. The lysogenic cycle involves the integration of viral DNA into the host genome and does not immediately damage cells, while the lymphatic spread is related to virus distribution and not direct cell destruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is c) Lysis. This is the process that leads to the destruction of the host cells. It occurs during the lytic cycle, where new virions (virus particles) are produced within the host cell, and then the host cell bursts open, releasing the new virions into the environment, leading to its death. In contrast, lysogeny or lysogenization refers to a process where phage DNA integrates into the host cell's genome, becoming a prophage, which can replicate along with the host cell without causing immediate cell damage. The lymphatic spread refers to the dissemination of viruses or cancer cells through the lymphatic system, but it does not directly lead to the destruction of host cells.
Bacteriophages can have either a lytic or lysogenic cycle. In the lysogenic cycle, the phage DNA is integrated into the host genome and replicates along with it, potentially producing more virions over time. A virulent phage is one that undergoes the lytic cycle and results in the death of the host cell. The lysogenic cycle can switch to the lytic cycle, often triggered by an environmental stressor, leading to the commencement of lysis.