Bacteriophages

A bacteriophage is a type of virus that infects bacteria. In fact, the word "bacteriophage"
literally means "bacteria eater," because bacteriophages destroy their host cells. All
bacteriophages are composed of a nucleic acid molecule that is surrounded by a protein
structure. 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.

Did you know…

1 - if a bacteriophage replicates and causes lysis of the host bacteria, releasing new phages
will a process called "lytic state"?
2- If the bacteriophage is in a "prophage or tempered state", will it install itself in the bacterial
chromosome, replicate with it, but it does not cause alterations in the bacterial cell, nor does
it release new phages?
3- if we used bacteriophages as a substitute for antibiotics, will these destroy the industries
of those same?
4- If bacteria increase their defenses against phages, will these decrease their defense
against antibiotics?
5- If the phages did not exist, won't the 45% of bacteria that exist in the ocean be destroyed?