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Biology / Unit 9   Bio 1923 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Lytic Cycle

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The idea

In the lytic cycle, a virus replicates inside its host, assembles new virions, then bursts the cell open to release them.

In practice

Bacteriophage T4 infects E. coli, replicates quickly, and lyses the bacterium, releasing many new phage particles at once.

Where people slip

Lysis kills the host cell— a virus using only the lytic cycle cannot leave without destroying its host.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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