EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Bacteria can be infected by tiny viruses called bacteriophages (phages). Bacteriophages are so small they do not even have a single cell, but are instead just a piece of DNA surrounded by a protein coat.

Detailed explanation-2: -Specifically, a type of friendly virus called bacteriophage (sometimes referred to as just phage) can be weaponized to fight even the most difficult bacterial infections. This works because, unlike viruses that make us sick, phages can only infect bacteria-and they are even selective about which bacteria they target.

Detailed explanation-3: -A bacteriophage attaches itself to a susceptible bacterium and infects the host cell. Following infection, the bacteriophage hijacks the bacterium’s cellular machinery to prevent it from producing bacterial components and instead forces the cell to produce viral components.

Detailed explanation-4: -The correct option is C bacteriophage. The viruses which invade and infect bacterial cells are called as bacteriophages. They contain DNA as genetic material.

Detailed explanation-5: -Like other viruses, they cannot replicate by themselves, but must commandeer the reproductive machinery of bacteria. To do so, they attach to a bacterium and insert their genetic material. Lytic phages then destroy the cell, splitting it open to release new viral particles, which in turn infect more bacteria.