Explain the lytic cycle with reference to certain viruses.

* T-even phages follow lytic type of life cycle and these are called as virulent phages.
* It Involves 5 steps.
a) Attachment :
Phage attaches to host cell wall on complementary receptor by its tail fibers.
b) Penetration :
With contraction of tail sheath DNA of virus injected into host cell. The capsid remains outside the bacterial cell it is called as ghost.
c) Biosynthesis :
Viral DNA takes control over host cellular machinery and produces it own proteins.
d) Maturation :
Phage DNA and proteins are assembled to form a complete viral particle.
e) Release :
Viral encoded lysozyme cleaves bacteria and releases viral particles/virions.