Some bacterial viruses (lysogenic phages) carry viral DNA that acts like an episome. When a bacterial cell that is infected by a lysogenic phage replicates, what happens to the viral DNA?

• A. The viral DNA remains separate from the bacterial chromosome and is not passed on to the daughter cells.
• B. The viral DNA is incorporated into the bacterial chromosome and passed on to the daughter cells.
• C. That viral DNA remains separate from the bacterial chromosome but is still passed on to the daughter cells.
• D. The viral DNA is degraded by the bacterial cell.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of lysogenic phages: Lysogenic phages are a type of bacteriophage that can integrate their viral DNA into the host bacterial chromosome, forming a prophage.
2. Recognize the process of lysogeny: In lysogeny, the viral DNA integrates into the bacterial genome and replicates along with the host DNA during cell division.
3. Identify the fate of viral DNA during bacterial replication: Since the viral DNA is integrated into the bacterial chromosome, it is replicated and passed on to the daughter cells as part of the bacterial genome.
4. Differentiate between lysogenic and lytic cycles: In the lysogenic cycle, the viral DNA is incorporated into the host genome, whereas in the lytic cycle, the viral DNA remains separate and eventually leads to the production of new phages.
5. Conclude the correct outcome: The viral DNA is incorporated into the bacterial chromosome and is passed on to the daughter cells during replication, which is characteristic of the lysogenic cycle.