The bacterium that causes botulism disease is harmless until it:

A) is infected by prions.
B) is infected by lytic bacteria.
C) is irradiated by UV radiation.
D) contains a certain prophage DNA.
E) is infected by certain retroviruses.

Prophage DNA

The DNA of a temperate bacteriophage that is integrated into the bacterial host's genome and replicates along with it without causing lysis.

Botulism Disease

A potentially fatal illness caused by botulinum toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, affecting the nervous system.

Lytic Bacteria

Lytic bacteria are those that enter a host cell, reproduce by utilizing the cell's resources, and eventually cause the host cell to burst (lyse), releasing new bacterial cells.