Final answer:
The lytic cycle is a viral replication process consisting of attachment, penetration, biosynthesis, maturation, and release, ultimately destroying the host bacterial cell to liberate new phage particles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lytic cycle is a process where a bacteriophage infects a bacterial cell, takes over its machinery to reproduce, and ultimately causes the cell to lyse (burst), releasing new phage particles. The following are the key stages of the lytic cycle: Attachment: The bacteriophage attaches to the surface receptors of the host bacterial cell Penetration: The phage injects its genetic material into the host cell while the phage structure remains outside.
Biosynthesis: Viral components are synthesized using the host's cellular machinery. Maturation: Assembly of the new viruses takes place inside the host cell. Release: New phages are released as the host cell undergoes lysis. This process can be contrasted with the lysogenic cycle, where the viral DNA integrates with the host cell's genome, potentially lying dormant for a period of time before becoming active and entering the lytic cycle.