BACTERIOPHAGE

WHAT ARE BACTERIOPHAGES? -Bacteriophages are viruses that

infect bacteria. -They have hollow heads which are

protein capsids where the DNA or RNA is stored .

-They also have tails. The tips of the tails can bind to specific molecules on the surface of their target bacteria .

HOW DO THEY WORK? -The viral DNA is injected through the tail

into the host cell. -The production of its “offspring” phages

are over a hundred in half an hour .--These "young" phages burst from the

host cell, killing it, and infect more bacteria.

-Phages mostly populate locations like soil or the intestines of animals .