1. the state or condition in which a bacteriophage (virus) is integrated into the chromosome of a bacterial host cell and replicates along with it without destroying the cell
Usage: biology; microbiology

Examples

• During lysogeny, the viral DNA becomes part of the bacterial genome and is passed to daughter cells.
• The bacterium entered a state of lysogeny when the phage integrated its genetic material into the host chromosome.
• Lysogeny allows some viruses to persist in bacterial cells without immediately killing them.
• Scientists study lysogeny to understand how viruses can remain dormant within host organisms.
• The transition from lysogeny to lytic infection can be triggered by environmental stress.