BACTERIAL VIRUS Meaning and
Definition
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A bacterial virus, also known as bacteriophage or phage, is a type of virus that specifically infects bacteria. Bacterial viruses are composed of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, enclosed in a protein coat or capsid. They are incredibly small, ranging in size from about 20 to 200 nanometers.
Bacterial viruses have a complex life cycle that involves two main stages: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle. During the lytic cycle, the viral genetic material is injected into the host bacterium, taking over its cellular machinery and replicating itself multiple times. This eventually leads to the lysis, or bursting, of the host cell and the release of numerous new viral particles, ready to infect other bacteria.
In contrast, the lysogenic cycle is a dormant phase in which the viral DNA integrates into the bacterial chromosome, becoming part of the host genome. The viral genetic material is then passed on to each new bacterial generation as the host cell divides. Under certain conditions, such as stress or damage to the host, the viral DNA can exit the bacterial chromosome and enter the lytic cycle, resulting in the destruction of the host cell.
Bacterial viruses play a significant role in shaping bacterial populations and microbial ecosystems. They can act as agents of genetic transfer, facilitating the horizontal gene transfer between bacteria and promoting their evolution. Moreover, phages have been extensively used in molecular biology research and in the development of novel antibacterial therapies, known as phage therapy, which involves the use of specific phages to target and kill infectious bacteria.
Common Misspellings for BACTERIAL VIRUS
- vacterial virus
- nacterial virus
- hacterial virus
- gacterial virus
- bzcterial virus
- bscterial virus
- bwcterial virus
- bqcterial virus
- baxterial virus
- bavterial virus
- bafterial virus
- badterial virus
- bacrerial virus
- bacferial virus
- bacgerial virus
- bacyerial virus
- bac6erial virus
- bac5erial virus
- bactwrial virus
- bactsrial virus
Etymology of BACTERIAL VIRUS
The term "bacterial virus" is composed of two words: "bacterial" and "virus".
1. Bacterial: The term "bacterial" refers to something relating to or caused by bacteria. It comes from the noun "bacterium", which refers to a single-celled microorganism. The noun "bacterium" is derived from the Greek word "baktērion", meaning "staff" or "rod". It was chosen due to the rod-like shape of some bacteria.
2. Virus: The term "virus" originates from the Latin word "virus", which originally referred to a venomous or poisonous substance. Over time, the meaning evolved, and in the late 19th century, it began to be used to describe certain infectious agents. The modern understanding of viruses as entities that infect cells and reproduce within them emerged in the early 20th century.
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