At this point, both bacteria cells have viral DNA inside their walls. In the lytic phase, the viral DNA will replicate itself and form many copies which then code for new viral protein coats. Eventually the viral growth will burst the cell and the emergent particles can then infect adjacent bacteria. In the lysogenic pathway, the bacterial and viral DNA open up and link to each other at commonly constructed buckle points. When this occurs, the viral DNA becomes part of the bacterial genome and must behave accordingly. It cannot be copied many times over. Indeed, it is replicated along with the bacterial DNA only when the bacterial cell undergoes DNA replication as part of cell division. Under these conditions, the viral DNA is called a prophage and the bacterium is said to be lysogenic. Flip to the next card to see these conditions.
