Question

question 12 of 25
what effect will a virus in the lytic cycle have on an organism?
a. it will spread bacteria in the respiratory system.
b. it will cause genetic mutations in sex cells.
c. it will cause a disease in the organism.
d. it will have no direct effect on the organism.

Explanation:

In the lytic cycle, a virus infects a host cell, replicates within it, and then lyses (bursts) the cell to release new virus particles. This process damages host cells. When many cells are damaged in an organism (due to the lytic cycle of viruses infecting them), it leads to disease symptoms. For example, the influenza virus (which can follow a lytic - like process in some cells) causes respiratory diseases.

• Option A is incorrect because viruses are not bacteria.
• Option B is incorrect as the lytic cycle mainly affects somatic cells (not sex cells) in terms of direct cell - killing effects.
• Option D is incorrect because the lytic cycle has a direct harmful effect (cell lysis) on the host organism.

Answer:

C. It will cause a disease in the organism.