Which statement best describes the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection?

• A. The host cell engulfs the phage by endocytosis, leading to slow viral release without cell death.
• B. The phage DNA integrates into the host genome and remains dormant until triggered.
• C. The phage uses reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA before integration.
• D. The phage injects its DNA into the host cell, replicates, assembles new phage particles, and causes the host cell to lyse, releasing new viruses.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the lytic cycle is one of the two main life cycles of bacteriophages, the other being the lysogenic cycle.
2. Recognize that in the lytic cycle, the bacteriophage attaches to the host bacterial cell and injects its DNA directly into the host.
3. Know that once inside, the phage DNA takes over the host's cellular machinery to replicate its own genetic material and produce phage proteins.
4. Learn that new phage particles are assembled inside the host cell after replication and protein synthesis are complete.
5. Finally, the host cell undergoes lysis (breaks open), releasing the newly formed phage particles to infect other cells.