Explain the virulent and temperate phases of the bacteriophage life cycle.
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differentiate between a virulent and temperate phage
Sri K.
The life cycle of a temperate phage involves two main cycles: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle. In the lytic cycle, the temperate phage infects a bacterial cell and takes over the cell's machinery to replicate its own genetic material and produce new phage particles. The first step is the attachment of the phage to specific receptors on the bacterial cell surface. Once attached, the phage injects its genetic material, which can be either DNA or RNA, into the bacterial cell. The phage genetic material then takes control of the cell's machinery and directs it to produce viral components, such as capsid proteins and enzymes necessary for phage replication. Next, the phage genetic material is replicated, and new phage particles are assembled within the bacterial cell. This process involves the synthesis of viral proteins and the packaging of the replicated genetic material into new phage particles. Eventually, the bacterial cell lyses, or bursts open, releasing the newly formed phage particles into the surrounding environment. These phage particles can then go on to infect other bacterial cells and continue the lytic cycle. In the lysogenic cycle, the temperate phage integrates its genetic material into the bacterial chromosome, becoming a prophage. This integration is facilitated by specific proteins produced by the phage. Once integrated, the prophage is replicated along with the bacterial chromosome during cell division, ensuring that the phage genetic material is passed on to daughter cells. During the lysogenic cycle, the prophage remains dormant within the bacterial cell and does not produce new phage particles. The bacterial cell continues to divide and carry out its normal functions, while also harboring the phage genetic material. However, certain environmental cues, such as exposure to UV radiation or certain chemicals, can trigger the prophage to exit the lysogenic cycle and enter the lytic cycle. When the prophage is induced to enter the lytic cycle, it excises itself from the bacterial chromosome and proceeds with the steps described earlier in the lytic cycle. The phage genetic material is replicated, new phage particles are assembled, and the bacterial cell lyses, releasing the phage particles. The ability of temperate phages to switch between the lytic and lysogenic cycles provides them with a survival advantage. The lysogenic cycle allows the phage to persist within the bacterial population without killing the host cells, while the lytic cycle allows for the rapid production and spread of phage particles.
Madhur L.
When thinking about bacteriophage, what is the defintion and differnce between a lytic and a temperate phase one?
Shaiju T.
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