Question

Define lytic and lysogenic cycle?

Answer 1

These are the two life cycles of virus or in other words these are the two different ways by which a virus infection spread.
Lytic cycle- In the lytic cycles many virus particles are made inside the host cell and finally it causes the host cell to burst.
It is the main cycle of viral replication in which viral DNA enter the host cell and hijacks the metabolic activities of the infected cell, in such a way that host DNA become destroyed and virus starts using host cell energy for its own replication. It propagates inside the host cell resulting in the formation of lots of viral progenies. Ultimately host cell burst releasing several new viruses. The viral symptoms are visible in the host when virus is in it's lytic state.

Lysogenic cycle- In this cycle the viral DNA or RNA after entering the host cell becomes integrated to the host DNA, Thus it becomes the part of cell's genetic material. With the replication of host DNA, the viral DNA or RNA also gets replicated. In this cycle no viral progenies are produced and viral DNA or RNA, may remain in the host cell without causing any symptoms. But any time it, may enter to it's lytic state inside the host cell.