Phage replication strategies Flashcards
what is bacteriophage
virus that infects bacteria and replicates inside it
why is bacteriophage studied
increase our understanding of fundamental biology
what do bacteriophages provide
a way to transfer genes between bacteria: useful in the laboratory and nature
what are bacteriophages exploited for uses
- tools in molecular biology
- biocontrol agents in agriculture e.g. to control infections
- vehicles for vaccine delivery
- detection and killing of pathogenic bacteria (using phages instead of antibiotics)
how are bacteriophages transferred
Can transfer between bacteria through conjugation
Can use phages to transfer bacteria
what are the bacteriophages that infect E.coli
ΦX174
M13 phage
Phage Lambda
Phage T4
what is ΦX174 (Phi X174)
Small and simple structure with no tail
what DNA does ΦX174 (Phi X174) have
Circular ssDNA
what is the structure of ΦX174 (Phi X174)
Head region
DNA inside of it
what helps ΦX174 (Phi X174) mature
proteins help it mature
what is a procapsid
immature phage
what happens when ΦX174 (Phi X174) mature
lose proteins
what is the structure os M13
Filamentous structure
Surrounded by coat proteins
what DNA does M13 phage have
circular ssDNA
what is phage lambda structure
Complex structure with a head and tail
long (injected into bacterium)
what is phage Lambda DNA
linear dsDNA
what is phage T4 structure
Complex structure with a head and tail
bigger fibres
has a tail
what is the structure of phage T4 DNA
linear dsDNA
what is bacteriophage lytic life cycle
Attach to bacteria surface, inject their DNA inside it (only part of the phage e.g. the tail inserts into the host)
Makes lots of copies of itself inside, replicate - copies made inside, cell eventually bursts and the phages are released from inside and these can go on to infect
what do bacteriophages contain
either RNA or DNA enclosed in a protein coat
how do bacteriophage infect bacteria
by attaching to a receptor on their surface and transmit their nucleic acid inside
what genes do bacteriophages have
have early, middle and late genes
what happens to the bacterium when inside the bacterial host cell
Once inside the bacterium the nucleic acid is replicated and new phage particles are assembled
what happens when host cell lyse
many new phage particles are released