Viruses, the smallest replicating entities, can reproduce by using the resources of living cells, which are often destroyed as a result of infection. Bacteriophages, or “phages” for short, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. The phage lands on the surface of the target cell and binds to a specific receptor on the membrane. Next, the phage injects its DNA into the bacterium. The bacterial chromosome is then sometimes broken down by phage-specific enzymes, and the phage chromosome is replicated using bacterial resources. Phage genes are then expressed, producing progeny phage particles that are assembled and released by lysis, or bursting, of the infected cell.

Question 1: What are bacteriophages?
  1. Bacteria that infect viruses
  2. Viruses that infect bacteria
  3. Viruses that infect people
  4. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer - (b) Viruses that infect bacteria

Question 2: What do the bacteriophages specifically attach to?
  1. Mitochondria
  2. Nuclei
  3. Binary fission
  4. Bacterial surface receptors

Answer 2

Answer - (d) Bacterial surface receptors

Question 3: How does a bacteriophage infect bacteria?
  1. By binding to a bacterial surface receptor
  2. By injecting DNA into bacterial cells
  3. By producing progeny phage
  4. All of the above

Answer 3

Answer - (d) All of the above

Question 4: After the phage injects its DNA into the bacterium, the bacterial chromosome is sometimes broken down by ___________.
  1. Phage proteins
  2. Phage ribosomal RNA
  3. Phage-specific molecules
  4. Phage-specific enzymes

Answer 4

Answer - (d) Phage-specific enzymes