Which term best describes the process in which newly formed viruses cause the host cell to burst, releasing viral particles to infect new host cells?

• A. Lysogenic cycle
• B. Transduction
• C. Transformation
• D. Lytic cycle

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key terms related to viral replication cycles and genetic exchange in microbiology.
2. Define the lytic cycle: it is a viral replication process where the virus takes over the host cell machinery to produce new viral particles, eventually causing the host cell to burst (lyse) and release these new viruses.
3. Define the lysogenic cycle: a process where viral DNA integrates into the host genome and replicates along with it without immediately destroying the host cell.
4. Understand transduction: a process of horizontal gene transfer where bacterial DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another by a virus (bacteriophage), not involving cell lysis as the primary step.
5. Understand transformation: the uptake of free DNA from the environment by a bacterial cell, unrelated to viral infection or cell lysis.