What term describes a virus that can switch between the lytic and lysogenic cycles depending on conditions?

What term describes a virus that can switch between the lytic and lysogenic cycles depending on conditions?

• A. Virulent phage
• B. Lytic phage
• C. Temperate phage
• D. Bacteriophage

Answer: (C)

Temperate phages are capable of choosing between two life strategies based on conditions. They can enter the lytic cycle, where they hijack the host, replicate, and cause cell lysis, or the lysogenic cycle, where the phage genome integrates into the host chromosome and is replicated along with the host without killing it. A repressor-based switch keeps the phage in lysogeny, and stressful conditions can relieve repression to trigger the lytic program. This dual capability distinguishes temperate phages from virulent phages, which only follow the lytic route, and from the broad term bacteriophage.

Temperate phages are capable of choosing between two life strategies based on conditions. They can enter the lytic cycle, where they hijack the host, replicate, and cause cell lysis, or the lysogenic cycle, where the phage genome integrates into the host chromosome and is replicated along with the host without killing it. A repressor-based switch keeps the phage in lysogeny, and stressful conditions can relieve repression to trigger the lytic program. This dual capability distinguishes temperate phages from virulent phages, which only follow the lytic route, and from the broad term bacteriophage.