Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. They play a crucial role in bacterial population control and genetic exchange.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Bacteriophages have two main life cycles: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle.
In the lytic cycle, bacteriophages replicate within a bacterium and ultimately cause its lysis.
During the lysogenic cycle, phage DNA integrates into the bacterial genome and replicates with it without killing the host.
Phage therapy is being researched as an alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections.
They exhibit high specificity for their bacterial hosts due to receptor-binding proteins on their tail fibers.
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Related terms
Lytic Cycle: A process where bacteriophages replicate inside bacteria leading to cell lysis and release of new phages
Lysogenic Cycle: A process where phage DNA integrates into the bacterial genome and replicates passively with it
Phage Therapy: The therapeutic use of bacteriophages to treat pathogenic bacterial infections