Lambda phage

Lambda phage is a type of virus that infects bacteria, specifically E. coli. It has a simple genetic structure and can reproduce by attaching to the bacteria, injecting its DNA, and taking control of the bacterial cell's machinery. The phage can choose two ways to operate: it can either replicate quickly, causing the bacterial cell to burst and release new viruses (lytic cycle), or quietly integrate its DNA into the bacteria's genome, lying dormant until triggered (lysogenic cycle). Lambda phage serves as a valuable model for studying genetic processes and gene regulation.