What is the term for a virus that specifically infects bacterial cells?

What is the term for a virus that specifically infects bacterial cells?

• A. Viroid
• B. Chromatid
• C. Bacteriophage
• D. Inclusion

Answer: (C)

The term for a virus that specifically infects bacterial cells is "bacteriophage." Bacteriophages, often referred to as "phages," are a type of virus that target bacteria and can replicate within them. They attach to the bacterial cell surface and inject their genetic material into the host cell, which then uses the bacterial machinery to produce new phage particles. This process can lead to the lysis (destruction) of the bacterial cell, releasing new phage viruses into the environment to continue the infection cycle. Viroids, on the other hand, are small infectious pieces of RNA that do not have a protein coat and primarily affect plants, not bacteria. Chromatids are not related to viruses; they are strands of chromosomes that form during cell division. Inclusions refer to abnormal aggregations of substances within a cell, which are unrelated to the concept of viral infection. Thus, bacteriophage is the only option that accurately describes a virus specifically targeting bacterial cells.

The term for a virus that specifically infects bacterial cells is "bacteriophage." Bacteriophages, often referred to as "phages," are a type of virus that target bacteria and can replicate within them. They attach to the bacterial cell surface and inject their genetic material into the host cell, which then uses the bacterial machinery to produce new phage particles. This process can lead to the lysis (destruction) of the bacterial cell, releasing new phage viruses into the environment to continue the infection cycle.

Viroids, on the other hand, are small infectious pieces of RNA that do not have a protein coat and primarily affect plants, not bacteria. Chromatids are not related to viruses; they are strands of chromosomes that form during cell division. Inclusions refer to abnormal aggregations of substances within a cell, which are unrelated to the concept of viral infection. Thus, bacteriophage is the only option that accurately describes a virus specifically targeting bacterial cells.