Question

What is the difference between a temperate phage versus a virulent phage?

Short answer

The difference between a temperate phage and a virulent phage is in their life cycles and interaction with the host. The temperate phage can follow a lytic cycle or become a silent passenger in the host DNA during a lysogenic cycle while the virulent phage only follows a lytic cycle, causing the death of the host cell.

Step-by-step solution

Temperate Phage Explanation

The temperate phage has a dual life cycle. It can either enter the lytic cycle where the phage replicates and bursts out of the bacteria, causing its death, or become a prophage in the lysogenic cycle where it integrates into the bacterial DNA and is passed on to the bacterial progeny during cell division.

Virulent Phage Explanation

The virulent phage has a singular life cycle. It only undergoes the lytic cycle where after infecting the cell, it uses the cell's machinery to replicate, subsequently causes cell lysis, and releases new phage particles.

Main Differences

The main differences between temperate and virulent phages lies in their modes of life cycle and interaction with host bacteria. While a temperate phage has the option to exist quietly in its host through the lysogenic cycle, a virulent phage does not have this option and it's sole interaction with the host is causing its death.