Which cycle involves the integration of viral DNA into the host cell's DNA?

The lysogenic cycle is characterized by the integration of viral DNA into the host cell's DNA. In this process, the viral genome becomes a prophage, which can remain dormant within the host's genetic material for extended periods. During the lysogenic cycle, the viral DNA is replicated along with the host's DNA when the host cell divides. This can lead to the establishment of a stable relationship between the virus and the host without immediately harming the host cell.

This integrated viral DNA can later enter the lytic cycle when certain conditions trigger it to become active, leading to the production of new viral particles and the eventual lysis, or destruction, of the host cell. Understanding this cycle is crucial in studying how viruses can persist in host organisms and how they can switch between different modes of existence.