| lysogenic virus | <virology> A virus which has the capability to insert its DNA into the genome of the host bacterium for long-term dormancy, so that the bacterium replicates the viral DNA along with its own and passes it to its offspring. The virus is able to choose when it wants to reactivate and finish its lytic cycle, at which time it destroys the host and spreads its progeny to infect other bacterial cells. (09 Oct 1997) |
|---|