Microbiology Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

During the lytic cycle of a virus, the primary characteristic is the active replication and assembly of new viral particles, which ultimately leads to the destruction of the infected host cell. In this process, the virus enters the host cell and utilizes the host's cellular machinery to replicate its genetic material and produce viral proteins. Once sufficient viral components are synthesized, they assemble into new virions. The final step of the lytic cycle is the lysis (or bursting) of the host cell, which releases the newly formed viruses to infect neighboring cells.

This cycle contrasts with other mechanisms such as integration into the host DNA, creation of dormant phases, or remaining in a lysogenic phase, which are associated with different viral behavior. The lytic cycle is specifically characterized by its immediate and destructive replication strategy, making option C the definitive explanation for viral activity during this cycle.