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Bacteriophage

Bacteriophage (bacteriophage; Greek bacteria – bacteria + phagos – devouring) – the virus infecting a bacterial cell, breeding in it and often leading to its lysis or transition to a lysogenic state. Usually the phage includes in the structure a head in which there is one molecule of two-chain DNA, a tail and tail fibrilla, with the proteinaceous molecules which are in them. The tail and tail fibrilla are necessary for accession of a bacteriophage to a surface of a bacterium and administration of its DNA in it. DNA of a phage is replicated and codes protein synthesis of the cover that promotes its reproduction in a bacterial cell and in a net result leads to a lysis of a cell, a phage are released and infect other cells. Action of each phage is selectively directed only against separate species of bacteria. It is applied at classification of phages (phage typing) – this method is used for identification of a bacterium on impact on it of the known phages.

 
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