Difference Between Lytic and Lysogenic Cycles: How Viral Infections Spread

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Viral Replication

The Lytic and lysogenic cycles are two different methods of viral replication. While they are different, they can be interchangeable or the replication can involve both methods in separate phases.

To start with, the virus has to infect the cell. So the virus attaches itself to the outer cell wall and releases enzymes that weaken the cell wall. Then, depending on whether it is a DNA virus or an RNA virus, the virus injects its double-stranded DNA or its single-stranded RNA into the cell.

The Lytic Cycle




So, in short, in the lytic cycle, the virus hijacks the infected cell and then destroys it. The lytic cycle occurs in virulent viruses. The symptoms of a viral infection occur when the virus is in a lytic state.

The Lysogenic Cycle

In the lysogenic cycle, the viral DNA or RNA enters the cell and integrates into the host DNA as a new set of genes called prophage. That is, the viral DNA becomes part of the cell’s genetic material. No progeny particles, like in the lytic phase, are produced. Each time the host cell DNA chromosome replicates during cell division, the passive and non-virulent prophage replicates too. This may alter the cell’s characteristics, but it does not destroy it.

There are no viral symptoms in the lysogenic cycle; it occurs after the viral infection is over. But the viral DNA or RNA remains in the cell and it may remain there permanently. However, if the prophage undergoes any stress or mutation or is exposed to UV radiation, the viral lysogenic cycle can change into the viral lytic cycle. In which case, there will be symptoms of a new viral infection.

Some viruses first replicate by the lysogenic cycle and then switch to the lytic cycle.

Differences Between Lytic and Lysogenic Cycles

In the Lytic Cycle:

  • Viral DNA destroys Cell DNA, takes over cell functions and destroys the cell.
  • The Virus replicates and produces progeny phages.
  • There are symptoms of viral infection.
  • Virtulant viral infection takes place.

In the Lysogenic Cycle:

  • Viral DNA merges with Cell DNA and does not destroy the cell.
  • The Virus does not produce progeny.
  • There are no symptoms of viral infection.
  • Temperate viral replication takes place.