lysigenic

Lysigenic refers to a biological process where a cell lysis, or bursts open, to release its contents. This term is often used in the context of viruses and bacteriophages, which can reproduce through a lysigenic cycle. In this cycle, the viral genetic material integrates into the host cell's genome and replicates along with it. The host cell remains alive and may continue to divide. At a later stage, under certain conditions, the integrated viral DNA can be triggered to excise itself from the host genome, leading to the production of new viruses and the lysis of the host cell. This contrasts with the lytic cycle, where the virus immediately replicates and causes cell lysis. Lysigenic cycles allow viruses to persist within a host population without immediately destroying their hosts, potentially leading to long-term infections. The phenomenon of lysogeny is a key aspect of bacteriophage biology and plays a significant role in bacterial evolution and gene transfer.