Question

Explain replication of bacteriophages.

Answer 1

There are two primary types of bacteriophages: Lytic bacteriophages and Temperate bacteriophages based on the two types of replication life cycle. The basic process of viral infection and virus replication includes following steps:

1. Adsorption - virus binds to the host cell.
2. Penetration - virus injects its genome into host cell.
3. Viral Genome Replication - viral genome replicates using the host's cellular machinery.
4. Assembly - viral components and enzymes are produced and begin to assemble.
5. Maturation - viral components assemble and viruses fully develop.
6. Release - newly produced viruses are expelled from the host cell.