MYOVIRIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Myoviridae is a taxonomic family of bacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. It belongs to the order Caudovirales, comprising one of the three main bacteriophage families, alongside Siphoviridae and Podoviridae. Myoviridae derives its name from the Greek word "myo," meaning "muscle," referring to the characteristic long contractile tail possessed by members of this family.
Members of the Myoviridae family are recognized for their distinctive morphological features, including an icosahedral head and a long, non-flexible tail that contracts upon infection. This tail structure enables the bacteriophage to attach itself to receptors on the host bacterium's surface and subsequently inject its genetic material, typically composed of double-stranded DNA, into the bacterial cell.
The life cycle of Myoviridae typically involves attachment, followed by the injection of genetic material, replication and assembly of new viral particles, and finally, the release of progeny phages through cell lysis. These phages have a broad host range, meaning they can infect various species or strains of bacteria.
Myoviridae plays a significant role in regulating bacterial populations in various environments by infecting and lysing bacterial cells, often resulting in the release of nutrients that can be utilized by other organisms. Additionally, they have been extensively studied for their potential in phage therapy, which involves using bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections in humans and animals.
In summary, Myoviridae is a family of bacteriophages characterized by their distinctive long, contractile tails, infecting bacteria and contributing to ecological balance.
Common Misspellings for MYOVIRIDAE
- nyoviridae
- kyoviridae
- jyoviridae
- mtoviridae
- mgoviridae
- mhoviridae
- muoviridae
- m7oviridae
- m6oviridae
- myiviridae
- mykviridae
- mylviridae
- mypviridae
- my0viridae
- my9viridae
- myociridae
- myobiridae
- myogiridae
- myofiridae
- myovuridae
Etymology of MYOVIRIDAE
The word "Myoviridae" is derived from two components: "myo-" and "-viridae".
The prefix "myo-" comes from the Greek word "mys" meaning "muscle". In biology, "myo-" is commonly used to indicate connections or resemblances to muscular features.
The suffix "-viridae" is derived from the Latin word "virus", meaning "slime", "poison", or "venom". In taxonomy, "-viridae" is used to denote the family level of classification for viruses.
Therefore, "Myoviridae" is a term used in virology to refer to a family of viruses that possess characteristics or features related to muscles. The term highlights the resemblance of these viruses to muscular properties or structures.
