Name the term used to describe the phenomenon in which a bacteriophage genome incorporates its genome into the chromosome of the host.
The term used to describe the phenomenon in which a bacteriophage genome incorporates its genome into the chromosome of the host is "lysogeny."
To find the answer to this question, you can start by understanding the basic concepts of bacteriophage biology and the different life cycles they can undergo. Bacteriophages, or simply phages, are viruses that infect bacteria. They have two main life cycles: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle.
In the lytic cycle, the phage quickly infects the host bacterium, replicates its genome, produces new phage particles, and then lyses (breaks open) the bacterium to release the viral progeny. This cycle leads to the death of the host bacterium.
On the other hand, in the lysogenic cycle, the phage genome integrates into the host bacterium's chromosome, becoming a part of it. The incorporated phage DNA is called a prophage. The bacterium now harboring the prophage is referred to as a lysogen. The integrated prophage can remain dormant for some time, allowing the bacterium and its progeny to continue normal cell division and replication without showing any signs of phage infection. However, under certain environmental triggers or stressors, such as exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation or certain chemicals, the prophage can become activated and enter the lytic cycle, leading to the production of new phage particles and cell lysis.
So, to answer your question, the term used to describe the phenomenon where a bacteriophage genome incorporates its genome into the chromosome of the host is "lysogeny."