Definition

A type of bacterium that has incorporated viral DNA into its own genetic material, allowing it to reproduce with the viral genes.

Example

The lysogen can pass on the viral DNA to its offspring during reproduction.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a lysogen?

Yeah, isn't that a type of bacterium that can stay dormant?

Exactly! It can be pretty fascinating how they work.

Totally! I love learning about different bacterial processes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lysogen → It is formed from "lyso-" (from Greek "lysis", meaning to loosen or dissolve) and "-gen" (from Greek "genes", meaning born of or produced by). The word refers to a state in which a virus is integrated into the host's genome, leading to the production of new viruses upon cell division.

Memory Tip

Think of 'loosening' or 'dissolving' ('lyso-') as a virus that is 'produced by' ('-gen') the host's genetic material, which helps you remember that a lysogen is a virus that has integrated into a host's DNA.

Visually Confused Words