Lytický

Ly tický (lytický) is a biologie term used to describe processes or agents that cause lysis, the rupture or destruction of cells. In virology and microbiology, lytický describes activities or life cycles that result in breaking open host cells, releasing viral particles. The term is commonly applied to bacteriophages and other viruses that replicate by lysing their bacterial host, in contrast to lysogenní (lysogenic) agents that integrate their genome into the host.

Lytický cyklus, or the lytic cycle, comprises several stages: adsorption to the host cell, genome entry, intensive replication of viral components, assembly of new virions, and finally lysis of the cell to release the progeny phages. Enzymes such as endolysins degrade the peptidoglycan layer, while holins form pores in the cell membrane to permit access of lytic enzymes. This rapid destruction of the host cell ensures efficient production and dissemination of new virions.

In practical terms, lytický activity is central to phage therapy, which seeks to treat bacterial infections using lytic bacteriophages. Lytické phages are valued for their ability to produce clear bacterial lysis without integrating into the host genome. By contrast, lysogenní phages may enter a dormant state as a prophage, delaying or modulating lytic activity.

Terminology-wise, lytický is often paired with terms that describe the opposite or alternative cycles, such as lysogenní, to highlight the diversity of phage life strategies. The concept also appears in studies of bacterial toxins and enzymes that induce cell lysis, contributing to understanding of microbial interactions and host-pathogen dynamics.