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1. Size - T4 is among the largest phages; it is approximately 200 nm long and 80-100 nm wide. Other phages are smaller. Most phages range in size from 24-200 nm in length.

2. Head or Capsid - All phages contain a head structure which can vary in size and shape. Some are icosahedral (20 sides) others are filamentous. The head or capsid is composed of many copies of one or more different proteins. Inside the head is found the nucleic acid. The head acts as the protective covering for the nucleic acid.

3. Tail - Many but not all phages have tails attached to the phage head. The tail is a hollow tube through which the nucleic acid passes during infection. The size of the tail can vary and some phages do not even have a tail structure. In the more complex phages like T4 the tail is surrounded by a contractile sheath which contracts during infection of the bacterium. At the end of the tail the more complex phages like T4 have a base plate and one or more tail fibers attached to it. The base plate and tail fibers are involved in the binding of the phage to the bacterial cell. Not all phages have base plates and tail fibers. In these instances other structures are involved in binding of the phage particle to the bacterium.

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Who concluded that the genetis material of a bacteriophage is DNA?

The scientists Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase conducted a series of experiments at the Carnegie Institute of Washington in 1952, and concluded that the genetic material of a bacteriophage was DNA.


The way that genetic material of a bacteriophage enters a bacterium is most like the way that?

a key unlocks a door. The genetic material of a bacteriophage enters a bacterium by attaching to the bacterial cell wall and injecting its DNA or RNA into the host cell, taking over the cell's machinery to replicate itself. Just like a key unlocks a door to gain entry, the bacteriophage's genetic material gains entry into the bacterium to begin infection.


Why is uncoating not part of the bacteriophage life cycle?

Uncoating is not part of the bacteriophage life cycle because bacteriophages do not have an external capsid that needs to be removed to release their genetic material. Instead, bacteriophages inject their genetic material directly into a host bacterial cell.


Describe the contributions of hershey and chase to the understanding that DNA is the genetic material?

Hershey and Chase radioactively labelled T2 bacteriophage with P (DNA) and S (protein) to determine if protein or DNA carried the genetic material. They let the bacteriophage infect E.coli. The radioactive material found in the host E.coli contained the radioactive P (found in DNA) as the bacteriophage had multiplied inside the cell, but the radioactive S was not found inside the cell. Therefore DNA is the hereditary molecule resorce - some other guy off the internet


What is a virus called that invades bacteria?

A virus that infects bacteria is called a bacteriophage. Bacteriophages are specific to infecting bacterial cells and can inject their genetic material into the host bacterium, leading to replication and eventual destruction of the bacterial cell.

Related Questions

What is the tail of a bacteriophage specialized for?

The tail of a bacteriophage is specialized for attaching to the host bacterial cell and injecting its genetic material into the cell. It helps the bacteriophage in recognizing and binding to specific receptors on the bacterial cell surface.


Who concluded that the genetis material of a bacteriophage is DNA?

The scientists Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase conducted a series of experiments at the Carnegie Institute of Washington in 1952, and concluded that the genetic material of a bacteriophage was DNA.


What result did Hershey and chase observe?

they concluded that the genetic material of the bacteriophage was DNA, not protein


The way that genetic material of a bacteriophage enters a bacterium is most like the way that?

a key unlocks a door. The genetic material of a bacteriophage enters a bacterium by attaching to the bacterial cell wall and injecting its DNA or RNA into the host cell, taking over the cell's machinery to replicate itself. Just like a key unlocks a door to gain entry, the bacteriophage's genetic material gains entry into the bacterium to begin infection.


Why is uncoating not part of the bacteriophage life cycle?

Uncoating is not part of the bacteriophage life cycle because bacteriophages do not have an external capsid that needs to be removed to release their genetic material. Instead, bacteriophages inject their genetic material directly into a host bacterial cell.


Which is a type of Virus out of Bacteria Capsid Bateriophage and Pilus?

Bacteriophage is a type of virus that infects bacteria. It uses its protein capsid to inject its genetic material into a bacterial cell and replicate. Pilus is a structure found on bacteria that can be used for conjugation, the transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells.


The bacteriophage attaches to the bacterium's?

cell wall using its tail fibers and injects its genetic material into the bacterium. This genetic material then takes over the bacterium's machinery to replicate more phages.


Is T4 bacteriophage a DNA or RNA virus?

T4 bacteriophage is a DNA virus. It infects bacteria by injecting its DNA into the host cell and hijacking the cell's machinery to replicate its genetic material.


A virus that infects bacteria?

A virus that infects bacteria is called a bacteriophage. Bacteriophages inject their genetic material into the bacteria and use the host's machinery to replicate. They are being studied for potential use in treating bacterial infections in humans.


Describe the contributions of hershey and chase to the understanding that DNA is the genetic material?

Hershey and Chase radioactively labelled T2 bacteriophage with P (DNA) and S (protein) to determine if protein or DNA carried the genetic material. They let the bacteriophage infect E.coli. The radioactive material found in the host E.coli contained the radioactive P (found in DNA) as the bacteriophage had multiplied inside the cell, but the radioactive S was not found inside the cell. Therefore DNA is the hereditary molecule resorce - some other guy off the internet


Hershey and chase concluded that the genetic material of the bacteriophage was?

DNA. Hershey and Chase conducted the blender experiment using bacteriophages to show that DNA, not protein, is the genetic material that is passed on during viral infection.


What is a virus called that invades bacteria?

A virus that infects bacteria is called a bacteriophage. Bacteriophages are specific to infecting bacterial cells and can inject their genetic material into the host bacterium, leading to replication and eventual destruction of the bacterial cell.