Week 2 A - Bacteriophages Overview

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to bacteriophages and their replication cycles, as discussed in the lecture.

Bacteriophages

Viruses that infect prokaryotes, specifically bacteria and archaea.

Transduction

The process of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria facilitated by bacteriophages.

Phage Typing

A method used for diagnostics involving the classification of bacteria based on their sensitivity to specific bacteriophages.

Phage Therapy

A medical treatment using bacteriophages to target and destroy specific bacterial infections.

Lytic Cycle

The process by which a bacteriophage replicates, ultimately leading to the destruction and lysis of the host cell.

Lysogenic Cycle

A replication cycle where the bacteriophage integrates into the host genome and replicates passively along with the host cell's division.

Prophage

The form of a bacteriophage when it has integrated into the host genome during the lysogenic cycle.

Adsorption

The first stage of phage infection where the tail fibers of the phage bind to specific receptors on the host cell wall.

Penetration

The stage in which the bacteriophage injects its genome into the host cell after binding.

Rolling Circle Replication

A strategy used by some bacteriophages to replicate their genomes, particularly circular DNA.

Terminal Redundancy

The phenomenon where some phages have linear genomes with terminal repeated sequences to avoid problems in end sequence replication.

Cohesive Ends

Single-stranded overhangs at the ends of a linear DNA molecule that facilitate the circularization of the genome during integration.

Lambda Repressor

A protein that regulates the lysogenic and lytic pathways of bacteriophage lambda.

Chronic Infection

A form of infection where bacteriophage M13 replicates without causing lysis of the host cell.

Clear Plaque

A type of plaque formed by bacteriophages that completely lyse the bacterial host cells.

Cloudy Plaque

A type of plaque formed by bacteriophages that cause partial lysis or not all host cells are infected.