What is a prophage, and how is a prophage formed?

Key Concepts

Prophage Definition

A prophage is a form of a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria) that has integrated its genetic material into the host bacterium's chromosome. In this state, the viral DNA is replicated along with the host's DNA during cell division, remaining dormant until it is triggered to enter the lytic cycle.

Lysogenic Cycle

The lysogenic cycle is one of the two reproductive cycles of bacteriophages, where the virus integrates its DNA into the host genome, forming a prophage. This cycle allows the virus to persist in a dormant state, enabling it to be passed on to daughter cells during bacterial replication without causing immediate harm to the host.

Induction of Prophage

Induction is the process by which a prophage is activated to exit the lysogenic cycle and enter the lytic cycle, leading to the production of new viral particles. This can be triggered by various environmental factors, such as stress or damage to the host cell, which signal the prophage to initiate replication and ultimately cause cell lysis.