Which of the following is a good metaphor for a virus in the lysogenic cycle?
A. A factory rapidly producing
B. A space probe waiting to land
C. A spy waiting for sabotage
D. A woman giving birth

Question

Which of the following is a good metaphor for a virus in the lysogenic cycle?
	A.	A factory rapidly producing
	B.	A space probe waiting to land
	C.	A spy waiting for sabotage
	D.	A woman giving birth

anonymous · Answer

The "lysogenic cycle" is the cycle where a virus takes its genetic material, 
and it combines it with our own genetic material, inside of our cells. 

In other words, the virus hides its genes inside of the nucleus of our cells. 

And every time the cell divides, by mitosis, the virus's genes also divide with it. 

The virus hides, until it's ready to sabotage us. Strike out at us. 

HIV (the one that causes AIDS) is an example of a virus that goes through the lysogenic cycle. 

That's why you could be infected with HIV, and not develop symptoms until as long as TEN YEARS later. 
That's because the virus spends all that time incubating. Hiding.