Enterobacteria phage λ is a bacterial virus that infects the
bacterial species Escherichia coli. During infection, the phage
particle recognizes and binds to its host, E. coli, causing DNA in
the head of the phage to be ejected through the tail into the
cytoplasm of the bacterial cell. Usually, a "lytic cycle" ensues,
where the lambda DNA is replicated and new phage particles are
produced within the cell. This is followed by cell lysis, releasing
the cell contents, including virions that have been assembled, into
the environment. However, under certain conditions, the phage DNA
may integrate itself into the host cell chromosome in the lysogenic
pathway. In this state, the λ DNA is called a prophage and stays
resident within the host's genome without apparent harm to the
host.
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