LYSOGENESIS Meaning and
Definition
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Lysogenesis is a biological process that refers to the integration of viral genetic material into the genome of a host organism's cells. It is a form of viral reproduction that occurs specifically in bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria. The term "lysogeny" is derived from the lysis of host cells that often occurs in the process.
During lysogenesis, a bacteriophage injects its DNA into a bacterial cell. Instead of immediately taking over the host cell's machinery to replicate itself, the viral DNA becomes integrated into the bacterial chromosome. This integrated DNA is called a prophage. The prophage remains dormant and is passed along to subsequent generations of the bacterial cell as it multiplies. The lysogenized bacteria continue to divide and survive, while the phage DNA is maintained within the host's genome.
Under certain conditions, such as exposure to stress or high multiplicity of infection by other phages, the prophage can enter a phase called induction. During induction, the prophage DNA is activated and begins to replicate, resulting in the release of progeny phages which may eventually lyse or kill the host cell.
Lysogeny provides several advantages to both the phage and the bacterial host. For the phage, lysogeny allows the viral DNA to be transmitted vertically to subsequent generations of bacteria, ensuring its survival. For the host cell, lysogeny can confer resistance to superinfection by related bacteriophages and provide selective advantages like toxin production or increased virulence against competitors.
In summary, lysogenesis is a viral reproductive strategy in which viral DNA is integrated into the genome of a host organism's cells, leading to the coexistence of the viral and host genetic material.
Common Misspellings for LYSOGENESIS
- kysogenesis
- pysogenesis
- oysogenesis
- ltsogenesis
- lgsogenesis
- lhsogenesis
- lusogenesis
- l7sogenesis
- l6sogenesis
- lyaogenesis
- lyzogenesis
- lyxogenesis
- lydogenesis
- lyeogenesis
- lywogenesis
- lysigenesis
- lyskgenesis
- lyslgenesis
- lyspgenesis
- lys0genesis
Etymology of LYSOGENESIS
The word "lysogenesis" is derived from two sources: the Greek word "lysis" (λύσις) meaning "loosening" or "dissolution", and the term "genesis" from the Greek "génesis" (γένεσις), referring to "origin" or "creation".
In biology, lysogenesis is a process by which a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria) incorporates its DNA into the host bacterium's DNA, becoming dormant or latent. This acquired DNA can later be activated, resulting in the production of new viral particles and infection of additional bacteria. The term lysogeny was first introduced by André Lwoff, a French microbiologist, in the mid-20th century to describe this phenomenon. Over time, the word lysogeny evolved to lysogenesis, which is commonly used today to describe the same biological process.
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