Step 1: A bacteriophage attaches to a bacterium (the host) using its tail fibers.
Step 2: The bacteriophage injects its genetic material (DNA or RNA) into the bacterium.
Step 3: In the lytic cycle, the bacteriophage takes over the bacterium's machinery to make copies of itself, leading to the production of new bacteriophages.
Step 4: The bacterium eventually bursts (lyses), releasing the new bacteriophages to infect other bacteria.
Step 5: In the lysogenic cycle, the bacteriophage's genetic material integrates into the bacterium's genome and can remain dormant for a while.
Step 6: The bacterium replicates normally, copying the bacteriophage's genetic material along with its own.
Step 7: Under certain conditions, the bacteriophage can exit the lysogenic cycle, enter the lytic cycle, and produce new bacteriophages.
Lytic Cycle – A process where bacteriophages infect a host cell, replicate, and ultimately cause the cell to lyse, releasing new phages.
Lysogenic Cycle – A process where bacteriophages integrate their genetic material into the host's genome, allowing for replication along with the host cell without immediate destruction.
