A Temperate Phage

Question

A temperate phage
A) may be lysogenic.
B) may be lytic.
C) enters a lysogenic or lytic life cycle shortly after entering the host cell.
D) may be lytic AND enters a lysogenic or lytic life cycle shortly after entering the host cell.
E) may be lysogenic AND enters a lysogenic or lytic life cycle shortly after entering the host cell.

Accepted Answer

Temperate phages have the ability to undergo both lysogenic and lytic life cycles. They can integrate their genome into the host's genome and replicate along with it (lysogeny) or enter a lytic cycle, where they replicate and cause the host cell to lyse. The decision between these pathways can occur shortly after the phage enters the host cell.