Bacteriophage: Bacterias Enemy

Bacteriophage: Bacterias Enemy

Bacteriophage are microscopic virus's that infect and replicate within bacteria. They are composed of proteins and DNA and RNA genome. The genomes of bacteriophage can contain as few as four genes and as many as hundreds of genes. The infection and replication within becatera consists ofa few steps. First, the bacteriophage will attach to the bacteria. Then they will inject the bacteria with their genetic material into the host. Next begins the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids. Within minutes, bacterial ribosomes start translating viral mRNA into protein. For RNA-based phages,RNA replicase is synthesized early in the process. Proteins modify the bacterial RNA polymearse so it preferentially transcribes viral mRNA. The host’s normal synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids is disrupted, and it is forced to manufacture viral products. Next, bacteriophage begin to assemble within the bacteria, and withing fifteen minutes are released from the bacteria. For more information on bacteriophage, click here.