Step 1: Understand the two main bacteriophage life cycles: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle. Both begin with the phage attaching to the bacterial cell and injecting its genetic material.
Step 2: Identify the common initial steps in both cycles: Attachment (phage binds to the host cell) and Penetration (phage injects its DNA into the host).
Step 3: Recognize that after penetration, the lytic cycle proceeds with replication of phage DNA, assembly of new phage particles, and release of progeny by lysing the host cell.
Step 4: In contrast, the lysogenic cycle involves integration of the phage DNA into the host genome (forming a prophage) before replication, which is a step unique to lysogeny and not part of the lytic cycle.
Step 5: Therefore, the sequence common to both cycles includes Attachment, Penetration, Replication, Assembly, and Release, since integration is specific to the lysogenic cycle only.