BACTERIOPHAGY Meaning and
Definition
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Bacteriophagy refers to the process by which bacteriophages, also known as phages, infect and consume bacteria. Bacteriophages are a type of virus that specifically target bacteria as their host. "Bacterio" is derived from the Greek word for bacteria, and "phagy" comes from the Greek term meaning to eat or consume. This term, therefore, encapsulates the idea of phages consuming bacteria.
During bacteriophagy, the phage attaches to the outer surface of the bacterial cell and injects its genetic material into it. Once inside, the phage takes control of the bacterial cell's replication machinery, forcing it to produce more phages instead of carrying out its usual functions. This leads to the multiplication of phages and ultimately results in the death of the infected bacterial cell. The newly replicated phages are then released into the external environment, allowing them to infect and consume other susceptible bacteria.
Bacteriophagy plays an essential role in controlling bacterial populations within various ecosystems, including soil, water, and the human body. These viruses are considered natural predators of bacteria and help maintain the balance of microbial communities. Additionally, bacteriophagy is of significant interest in scientific research, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and medicine, as it has the potential to be harnessed for therapeutic purposes, such as targeting and eliminating harmful bacteria that cause infectious diseases.
Overall, bacteriophagy refers to the process of bacterial consumption by phages, highlighting the intricate relationship between these viruses and bacteria in nature.
Common Misspellings for BACTERIOPHAGY
- b acteriophage
- vacteriophagy
- nacteriophagy
- hacteriophagy
- gacteriophagy
- bzcteriophagy
- bscteriophagy
- bwcteriophagy
- bqcteriophagy
- baxteriophagy
- bavteriophagy
- bafteriophagy
- badteriophagy
- bacreriophagy
- bacferiophagy
- bacgeriophagy
- bacyeriophagy
- bac6eriophagy
- bac5eriophagy
- bactwriophagy
Etymology of BACTERIOPHAGY
The word "bacteriophagy" is derived from the combination of three Greek roots: "bacterio", "phagein", and "phagy".
1. "Bacterio" comes from the Greek word "bakterion", which means "little stick". It refers to bacteria, microorganisms that are shaped like little rods or sticks.
2. "Phagein" also comes from Greek and means "to eat" or "to devour".
3. "Phagy" is a combining form derived from the Greek word "phagein" mentioned earlier, meaning "to eat" or "devour".
When combined, "bacteriophagy" literally means "bacteria-eating" or "devouring bacteria". It is a term used to describe the process where bacteria are consumed or destroyed by bacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically infect bacteria.
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