Bacteriophage Lambda Infection Summary

Bacteriophage Lambda Infection

• Infection Cycle:

  • Enters either the lytic or lysogenic cycle.

• Lytic Cycle:

  • Phage attaches to host cell wall and injects DNA.
  • Phage DNA is replicated and genes are expressed.
  • Phage proteins produced and mature phage particles assemble.
  • Host cell lyses, releasing virus particles.

• Lysogenic Cycle:

  • Phage DNA integrates into host cell genome (called prophage).
  • No replication or transcription of phage DNA occurs during this phase.
  • Host cell replicates, duplicating both host and prophage DNA.
  • Cell in a lysogenic state until triggered.

• Induction:

  • Certain environmental factors (e.g., ultraviolet light) can trigger phage induction.
  • Prophage DNA is excised and phage enters the lytic cycle.