"Enterobacteria phage fd" is a bacteriophage that infects enterobacteria. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which shows the sounds of each letter. "Enterobacteria" is spelled /ˌɛntəroʊbækˈtɪəriə/ with emphasis on the second syllable. Similarly, "phage" is pronounced /feɪdʒ/. Finally, "fd" is abbreviated from F-specific filamentous phage and is pronounced /ɛf diː/. The spelling of "Enterobacteria phage fd" using IPA phonetic transcription makes it easier to understand its pronunciation.
Enterobacteria phage fd, also known as bacteriophage fd or simply phage fd, is a type of virus that specifically infects bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. This phage belongs to the Inoviridae family, which is characterized by their unique filamentous shape.
Phage fd has a long, thin filamentous structure composed of a single-stranded circular DNA genome enclosed within a capsid. It primarily infects the bacterium Escherichia coli, attaching to its outer membrane via specific receptor sites. Following attachment, the phage injects its genetic material into the host cell.
Once inside the host, the phage's DNA is replicated and transcribed to produce viral proteins, allowing for the production of new phage particles. Within the host cell, phage fd is capable of existing in two distinct forms, the extracellular form and the intracellular form. The extracellular form is released from the infected host cell by cell lysis, while the intracellular form persists within the host by integrating its genome into the bacterial chromosome.
Enterobacteria phage fd has been extensively studied for its role in genetic engineering and biotechnology. Due to its ability to infect bacteria and incorporate its DNA into the host cell's genome, phage fd has served as a popular tool for DNA manipulation and gene expression studies. It has also been used as a delivery vehicle for foreign DNA in molecular biology applications.