In which stage does viral nucleic acid insert into the host genome and be replicated with host DNA?

In which stage does viral nucleic acid insert into the host genome and be replicated with host DNA?

• A. Lytic
• B. Prophage integration
• C. Lysogenic
• D. Assembly

Answer: (C)

In this case, the lysogenic stage is at work. Here, the viral genome inserts into the bacterial chromosome and becomes a prophage, then is replicated every time the host DNA is copied during cell division. This lets the virus persist quietly inside the host and be inherited by daughter cells without causing immediate lysis. The key idea is that integration and replication with the host genome define lysogeny, preserving the viral genome in the host. In the lytic cycle, the viral genome is copied independently, viral components are produced, and the cell is lysed to release new virions, so it does not involve integration into the host DNA. The term prophage integration describes the integration event itself, but the stage that encompasses insertion plus maintenance with host DNA is lysogenic.

In this case, the lysogenic stage is at work. Here, the viral genome inserts into the bacterial chromosome and becomes a prophage, then is replicated every time the host DNA is copied during cell division. This lets the virus persist quietly inside the host and be inherited by daughter cells without causing immediate lysis. The key idea is that integration and replication with the host genome define lysogeny, preserving the viral genome in the host. In the lytic cycle, the viral genome is copied independently, viral components are produced, and the cell is lysed to release new virions, so it does not involve integration into the host DNA. The term prophage integration describes the integration event itself, but the stage that encompasses insertion plus maintenance with host DNA is lysogenic.