Bacteriophages are the viruses that infect the bacteria. A typical bacteriophage consists of a DNA or RNA as their genetic material, encapsulated in a capsid made up of protein and a tunnel tail. Bacteriophages infects by first attaching to specific molecules on the surface of their target bacteria, injecting their genome and replicating within the host bacteria. Often over a hundred progeny phages are produced in half an hour. These "young" phages burst from the host cell (killing it) and infect more bacteria.
