A virulent phage such as T4 reproduces only by a lytic cycle which leads to lysis of the host.

1. T4 uses its tail fibers to bind to receptors on a bacterial cell.

2. Phage DNA is injected.

3. Host resources are used to produce viral DNA and proteins.

4. Viral DNA is packaged in the head, attached to tail apparatus.

5. Progeny phages burst (lyse) the host cell.

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