16. Virology II: Bacteriophages

Question 1

what is the typical structure of a phage?

Answer 1

• capsid
• DNA
• sheath
• tail fiber
• pin
• baseplate

Question 2

what are bacteriophages?

Answer 2

• viruses of bacteria
• host specific
  – T4 and lambda infect E. coli
  – GBK2 infects Geobacillus kaustophilus
• cannot reproduce independently
  – takes over host’s cellular machinery (forces host to reproduce bacteriophage)

Question 3

draw the delivery of genetic material

Answer 3

-

Question 4

what are the steps to the Lytic life cycle?

Answer 4

• attachment / binding
• entry (injection of nucleuic acid) and destruction of host DNA
• synthesis of viral nucleic acid and proteins
• assembly of complete virions
• release of phage through lysis