In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Meaning of Bacteriophages 2. Ultrastructure of Bacteriophages 3. Life Cycle. Meaning of Bacteriophages (Bacterial Viruses): The viruses which attack, reproduce and lyse bacteria are called bacteriophages. The term bacteriophage literally means, "eater of bacteria". The bacteriophages do not eat bacteria but infect and kill them. Twort discovered in 1915 and Herelle studied [...]
The following points highlight the two main theories on living hypothesis of viruses. The theories are: 1. Organism Theory 2. Molecular Theory. Theory # 1. Organism Theory: The supporters of the living hypothesis argue that growth and reproduction are chief distinctive characteristics of living things (organisms). Viruses possess both. They grow, reproduce and undergo mutations and become adapted to the [...]
In this article we will discuss about the classification of viruses. It is still in a fluid state. Whether viruses are plants or animals is purely an academic question and difficult to answer with any assurance. Perhaps they are neither. According to the commonly accepted view, the viruses represent the transition stage between the living and non-living world. In other [...]