Definition

Noun: * A state of peaceful coexistence between a bacteriophage and its bacterial host: Lysogeny describes the condition where the genetic material of a virus (a bacteriophage) is integrated into the chromosome of a bacterium. The viral genes are replicated along with the host's DNA without immediately destroying the cell. The virus in this inactive, integrated form is called a prophage.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The phenomenon of lysogeny allows the viral DNA to be passed on to the bacterial progeny.
  • In a state of lysogeny, the bacterium is not harmed by the phage.
  • The switch from lysogeny to the lytic cycle can be triggered by environmental stress.

Advanced Usage

• "Maintain lysogeny": Refers to the stable, inherited state where the prophage remains integrated.
  • The phage repressor protein is crucial to maintain lysogeny.
• "Establish lysogeny": Describes the process by which an infecting phage integrates into the host genome to begin this dormant state.
  • After infection, the lambda phage must decide whether to establish lysogeny or enter the lytic cycle.

Variants and Related Words

• Lysogen (n): The bacterium that harbors a prophage and is in a state of lysogeny.
  • A lysogen can spontaneously produce phage particles.
• Lysogenic (adj): Pertaining to or characterized by lysogeny.
  • The lysogenic cycle is one of two life cycles of temperate phages.
• Lysogenize (v): To cause a bacterium to become a lysogen.
  • The temperate phage can lysogenize its host.
• Prophage (n): The latent, integrated form of a bacteriophage in a lysogenic bacterium.

Synonyms

• Lysogenic state: The condition of lysogeny.
• Prophage state: Emphasizes the presence of the integrated prophage.

Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs/Idioms)

• Lytic cycle: The alternative viral life cycle that results in the lysis (destruction) of the host cell, contrasted with lysogeny.
• Temperate phage: A type of bacteriophage capable of entering the lysogenic cycle.
• Induction: The process that triggers a prophage to exit lysogeny and initiate the lytic cycle.

Noun

1. the condition of a host bacterium that has incorporated a phage into its own genetic material
   • when a phage infects a bacterium it can either destroy its host or be incorporated in the host genome in a state of lysogeny