Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The lytic cycle of a bacteriophage is the process by which a virus infects a bacterial cell, replicates its genome, synthesizes new viral structures, and lyses the host cell to release progeny.
This process follows a strict, highly regulated chronological order.
Detailed Explanation:
The lytic cycle proceeds through the following sequential stages:
1. Adsorption (A): The bacteriophage attaches to specific receptors on the surface of the bacterial host cell wall.
2. Injection of Phage DNA (B): The phage inserts its genomic DNA into the bacterial cytoplasm, leaving its protein capsid (sheath) outside.
3. Replication of Phage DNA (E): Once inside, the host's translation machinery is hijacked. The viral DNA is replicated to generate copies for new virions.
4. Production of Phage Components (D): Structural proteins (including head, tail, and fiber proteins) are transcribed and translated from the replicated viral DNA, followed by assembly into complete phage capsids.
5. Release of Progeny Phages (C): Phage-encoded enzymes (such as lysozyme) digest the bacterial cell wall, causing osmotic lysis of the host cell and releasing new mature virions.
Therefore, the correct chronological sequence is A $\rightarrow$ B $\rightarrow$ E $\rightarrow$ D $\rightarrow$ C.
Step 2: Final Answer:
The correct order is A, B, E, D, C, corresponding to Option (B).