Final answer:
The lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection involves the phage taking over the bacterial cell, replicating within it, and causing the cell to lyse, releasing new phage particles.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection, the phage takes over the bacterial cell and replicates within it, leading to the assembly of many copies of the phage. The bacterial cell is then lysed, or broken open, to release the newly formed phage particles into the environment. This process allows the phage to spread and infect new cells.