Question

If a bacteriophage only uses the lytic life cycle it is considered a?

1) Lytic bacteriophage
2) Lysogenic bacteriophage
3) Both lytic and lysogenic bacteriophage
4) None of the above

Answer 1

A bacteriophage that solely employs the lytic cycle to replicate and destroy its host bacterial cell is called a lytic bacteriophage.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a bacteriophage only uses the lytic life cycle, it is considered a lytic bacteriophage. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect bacteria.

During the lytic cycle, these phages take control of bacterial cells, produce new viral particles, and ultimately cause the lysis (destruction) of the host cells.

In contrast, a lysogenic bacteriophage integrates its DNA into the host cell's genome, becoming a prophage and replicating alongside the host's DNA without immediately killing the cell.

Environmental stress can trigger a prophage to exit the lysogenic cycle and enter the lytic cycle. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is option 1) Lytic bacteriophage.