NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A phage particle is composed of a single type of nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) and a protein capsid that protects the genetic material. The vast majority of phage also possess a tail (made of proteins) that enables the specific recognition of a receptor at the surface of the host bacterium.

Detailed explanation-2: -Phage coats or ghosts, composed entirely of protein, appear to be responsible for protecting the phage nucleic acid from degradation by factors in the surrounding medium; attachment of the virus to its susceptible host; and delivering the nucleic acid to the interior of the cell.

Detailed explanation-3: -Each virus possesses a protein capsid to protect its nucleic acid genome from the harsh environment.

Detailed explanation-4: -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-5: -The Viral Capsid However, all virus particles have a protein coat that surrounds and protects a nucleic acid genome. This protein coat is called a capsid, and the instructions for making the protein subunits of the capsid are encoded in the nucleic acid genome of the virus.