Final answer:
The lytic cycle involves a virus replicating within a host cell and then lysing the cell to release new virions, potentially causing rapid virus spread. The lysogenic cycle involves viral DNA integrating into the host's genome, remaining dormant, and replicating along with the host cell, potentially leading to long-term viral preservation within the host population. Environmental triggers can switch a virus from the lysogenic to the lytic cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Lytic Cycle and Lysogenic Cycle
The lytic and lysogenic cycles are two different ways that bacteriophages can reproduce within a host cell. In the lytic cycle, a phage takes control of a host cell, replicates its DNA, and produces new virions. Eventually, the host cell is lysed (destroyed), and the newly created virions are released to infect other cells. This process can lead to a rapid spread of the virus and can produce a large number of virions in a short period.
On the other hand, in the lysogenic cycle (also known as lysogeny), the phage DNA integrates into the host cell's genome, becoming a prophage. While in this state, the viral DNA is replicated along with the host's DNA and passed on to subsequent generations of cells. The prophage can remain dormant within the host genome for extended periods, and environmental stressors such as starvation or exposure to toxic chemicals may trigger the prophage to excise and switch to the lytic cycle.
Comparing the potential to produce virions, the lysogenic cycle can theoretically produce more virions over a longer period since the virus replicates with the host cell. However, the lytic cycle can produce a burst of virions in a shorter timeframe. Overall, the reproductive cycle in lysogeny is less immediate than in the lytic cycle, where virus production and cell destruction happen rapidly.