Question

Which of the following is true regarding the phage lambda, a virus which infects bacteria?

• A. In the lytic cycle, the bacterial host replicates viral DNA, passing it on to daughter cells during binary fission
• B. In the lysogenic cycle, the bacterial host replicates viral DNA, passing it to daughter cells during binary fission
• C. In the lytic cycle, viral DNA is integrated into the host genome
• D. In the lysogenic cycle, the host bacterial cell burst, releasing phages

Answer 1

The correct option is B In the lysogenic cycle, the bacterial host replicates viral DNA, passing it to daughter cells during binary fission

The lambda phage is the virus which infects the bacteria. The virus may undergo two types of cycle for infecting the bacterial cells. The lytic cycle involves the normal process of viral reproduction involving penetration of the cell membrane, nucleic acid synthesis, and lysis of the host cell. The lysogenic cycle is the form of viral reproduction involving the fusion of the nucleic acid of a bacteriophage with that of a host. This is followed by proliferation of the resulting prophage. The host cells replicates and the viral DNA is transferred to the daughter cells.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.