Bacteriophages have two main life cycles: the lytic cycle, where they destroy the host cell, and the lysogenic cycle, where their DNA integrates into the host genome.
They are used in phage therapy to treat bacterial infections, especially antibiotic-resistant strains.
Bacteriophages contribute to horizontal gene transfer among bacteria through transduction.
They consist of a protein coat enclosing genetic material, which can be either DNA or RNA.
Bacteriophages can be isolated from environments rich in bacteria, such as soil or sewage.