Lysogenise (/'laɪsədʒənaɪz/) is a term used in biology to describe the process of lysogeny, wherein a bacteriophage infects a bacterial cell and integrates its DNA into that of the host. The spelling of lysogenise is determined by its Greek roots, lyso meaning "to loosen" and gene meaning "to produce". The suffix -ise denotes the action of a verb, thus lysogenise is the verb form of lysogeny. The proper pronunciation of lysogenise is "'laɪsədʒənaɪz", with emphasis on the second syllable.
Lysogenise is a verb that pertains to the process of lysogeny in microbiology. Lysogeny is a state where a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria) incorporates its genetic material into the genetic material of the bacterium it infects. This incorporation allows the viral DNA to be replicated along with the host DNA, becoming a permanent part of the bacterial genome.
In this context, lysogenise refers to the action or process by which a bacteriophage integrates its genetic material into the host bacterium's DNA. The viral DNA becomes a prophage, lying dormant within the bacterium's genome until certain conditions prompt its activation. Once activated, the viral DNA is then able to direct the bacterium to produce viral particles and undergo the lytic cycle, leading to the destruction and release of new viral particles.
The term lysogenise can also be used more broadly to describe the act of transforming or incorporating any genetic material from an outside source into the DNA of an organism. This can occur naturally or be induced through various laboratory techniques like gene transfer or transfection, allowing the introduction of specific genes or traits into an organism's genome.
In summary, lysogenise refers to the process by which a bacteriophage integrates its genetic material into a host bacterium's DNA, resulting in the establishment of lysogeny. It can also describe the introduction of foreign genetic material into the genome of any organism.
The word "lysogenise" is derived from the combination of two terms: "lyso-" and "-genise".
1. "Lyso-" is derived from the Greek word "lýsis", meaning "a loosening" or "dissolution". In biology, it refers to the breakdown or destruction of cells or cell components.
2. "-Genise" is a suffix that denotes the process or action of generating or producing something.
Therefore, "lysogenise" is a verb formed by combining "lyso-" and "-genise" to describe the process of generating or inducing lysogeny, which is a mechanism in virology where a virus integrates its genetic material into the genome of its host, remaining latent until it is triggered to replicate and cause infection.