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A virus that infects bacteria.


The word phage comes from the Greek and means to eat or ingest. There are different types of phages, each quite specific to a particular bacteria. Phage technology is a relatively new science which uses virus to infect and consume bacteria, although the beginnings date to the early 20th century.(It was discarded when antibiotics were discovered).

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What phage in the reproductive cycle kills the bacterial host cell?

In the lytic cycle, a phage kills the bacterial host cell by causing it to burst (lysis) to release new phage particles. The phage replicates inside the host cell until it reaches a critical point, then the host cell is ruptured to release the new phages to infect other host cells.


Why bacillus anthracis susceptible to gamma phage?

Bacillus anthracis is susceptible to gamma phage because the phage has evolved to target and infect specific receptors on the surface of the bacterium. This interaction enables the gamma phage to inject its genetic material into the bacterium, hijacking its machinery to produce more phage particles and ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial cell.


What enzyme does Bacteriophages use to breach bacterial cell wall?

Bacteriophages use lysozyme, an enzyme that degrades peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall, to breach the bacterial cell wall and gain entry into the host cell. This allows the phage to inject its genetic material into the bacterium and replicate.


What is the material that phages insert into bacteria?

Phages insert their genetic material, which is typically DNA, into bacteria. This genetic material carries the instructions for the phage to replicate itself within the bacterial cell.


What is restricted transduction?

Restricted transduction is the phenomenon in which a bacteriophage can only transfer genetic material to certain host cells due to specific receptor recognition. This limits the range of host cells that can be infected by the phage, providing a mechanism for bacterial resistance to phage infection.

Related Questions

When a T2 bacteriophage infects an E. coli cell what part of the phage enters the bacterial cytoplasm?

the whole phage


What phage in the reproductive cycle kills the bacterial host cell?

In the lytic cycle, a phage kills the bacterial host cell by causing it to burst (lysis) to release new phage particles. The phage replicates inside the host cell until it reaches a critical point, then the host cell is ruptured to release the new phages to infect other host cells.


Phage typing is based on the fact that?

Bacterial viruses attack specific cells


What happens first when a phage infects a bacterial cell and is going to enter a lysogenic cycle?

it becomes a part of the bacterial DNA and it can be replicated into the daughter cells. this cycle doesn't harm the bacterial cell but it can change into the lysis cycle and kill the host cell


When the bacteriophage DNA becomes part of the bacterial chromosome?

When bacteriophage DNA becomes integrated into the bacterial chromosome, it is known as lysogeny. The integrated phage DNA is called a prophage. During lysogeny, the bacteriophage DNA remains dormant, replicating along with the bacterial chromosome. Under certain conditions, such as stress, the prophage can become activated and enter the lytic cycle, leading to viral replication and cell lysis.


What kind of cell does a phage infect?

A phage infects bacterial cells by injecting its genetic material into the host bacterium. Once inside, the phage hijacks the bacterium's cellular machinery to replicate and produce more phage particles, ultimately leading to the bacterium's destruction.


Why bacillus anthracis susceptible to gamma phage?

Bacillus anthracis is susceptible to gamma phage because the phage has evolved to target and infect specific receptors on the surface of the bacterium. This interaction enables the gamma phage to inject its genetic material into the bacterium, hijacking its machinery to produce more phage particles and ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial cell.


How does the reproduction of HIV and lambda phage differ?

The Lambda Phage bacterial virus replicates itself whilst the HIV virus binds itself to existing cells and damages them. Lamba Phage increases with a "lysogenic" cycle, whilst the increase of HIV is known as "Lytic".


The development of virulent toxin producing bacterial strains due to the presence of a temperate phage can occur in?

specialized transduction


What is the function of bacteriophage?

The function of bacteria is to reproduce. Bacteria is a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. They are also the cause of human and animal diseases. Some bacteria, like those in the intestines are friendly and needed for digestion.


Why you add chloroform in phage stock preparation?

Chloroform is used in phage stock preparation to lyse bacterial cell membranes, releasing phages into solution. It disrupts the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane, helping to release phages from the infected bacteria. This step is crucial for phage extraction and purification.


Why maltose is used in phage titration?

Maltose is used in phage titration because some bacteriophages use maltose as a carbon source. By including maltose in the diluent, the phages are provided with the necessary nutrients to replicate and form visible plaques on a bacterial lawn, which can then be counted to calculate the phage titer.