lysogenic cycle

The lysogenic cycle is a process where a virus infects a host cell and integrates its genetic material into the cell's DNA. Instead of immediately causing the cell to produce new viruses, the viral DNA stays dormant, copying itself along with the host's DNA during cell division. This means the infected cell remains alive and functioning normally for some time. Later, certain signals can trigger the viral DNA to become active, leading to the production of new viruses and the destruction of the host cell. This cycle allows the virus to persist quietly before triggering a more aggressive infection.