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All 6 Flashcards — The lytic cycle
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Question
Define a virulent virus.
Answer
A virus that immediately runs the **lytic cycle**, **killing the host cell** to reproduce.
Question
List the five steps of the lytic cycle, in order.
Answer
**Attachment → Entry → Replication/synthesis → Assembly → Lysis/release.**
Question
What happens at the ATTACHMENT step, and why does it matter?
Answer
The virus **binds a specific receptor** on the host surface. The match decides which cells it can infect — it sets the **host range**.
Question
What enters the host cell at the ENTRY step?
Answer
Only the **viral genome** (DNA or RNA) is injected; the empty protein coat is left outside.
Question
How does a virus replicate during the lytic cycle?
Answer
It **hijacks the host's machinery** — enzymes, ribosomes, nucleotides and ATP — to copy its genome and make capsid proteins.
Question
What is lysis, and what is the net effect of the lytic cycle?
Answer
**Lysis** = the host cell **bursting and dying**, releasing many new viruses. Net effect = **rapid amplification of the virus + host-cell death**.
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Topic 1.5 hub
Viruses
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