Final answer:
Viruses that infect bacteria are known as B. bacteriophages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Viruses that infect bacteria are known as bacteriophages. The term B. "bacteriophage" is derived from the Greek words "bakterion," meaning small rod-shaped bacterium, and "phagein," meaning to eat. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically target and infect bacterial cells, utilizing them as hosts for their replication.
Unlike retroviruses, which infect animal cells, or transposons, which are mobile genetic elements, bacteriophages have a specialized relationship with bacteria, contributing to the dynamic interactions within microbial ecosystems.
Bacteriophages are essential components of bacterial communities and play a significant role in regulating bacterial populations. They are critical in the process of horizontal gene transfer among bacteria, influencing the evolution and diversity of bacterial species. Bacteriophages achieve infection by attaching to specific receptors on the bacterial surface and injecting their genetic material into the bacterial cell. This genetic material then directs the host cell machinery to produce new phage particles, ultimately leading to the lysis (bursting) of the bacterial cell and release of progeny phages.
Understanding the nature of bacteriophages provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of microbial ecosystems and the coevolution of viruses and bacteria. Bacteriophages are also actively researched for their potential applications in biotechnology, including their use in phage therapy to combat bacterial infections and their role in shaping the diversity and resilience of bacterial communities in various environments.