Which of the follow statements about the bacteriophage lytic cycle is false?

• A. The lytic cycle is a productive infection which results in the host cell's death.
• B. The lytic cycle results in the host cell lysing and new bacteriophages emerging.
• C. In the lytic cycle the host cell's 'machinery' is used to create new viral components.
• D. In the lytic cycle the viral genome is incorporated into the host's genome.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the lytic cycle: The lytic cycle is a process where a bacteriophage infects a bacterial cell, replicates its components, and eventually causes the host cell to burst (lyse), releasing new phage particles.
2. Identify the key characteristics of the lytic cycle: It involves the destruction of the host cell, production of new viral particles, and does not integrate the viral genome into the host's genome.
3. Analyze each statement: Compare each statement with the known characteristics of the lytic cycle.
4. Evaluate the false statement: The statement 'In the lytic cycle the viral genome is incorporated into the host's genome' is false because this describes the lysogenic cycle, not the lytic cycle.
5. Conclude: The lytic cycle does not involve the integration of the viral genome into the host's genome, which is a feature of the lysogenic cycle.