32 - Bacteriophages

Question 1

Give 4 reasons why the study of bacteriophages is important…

Answer 1

• Can turn bacteria virulent
• Outnumber all other organisms
• Potential alternative to antibiotics (phage therapy)
• Useful tool in labs

Question 2

Phages may have ssDNA, dsDNA or ssRNA genomes. Give examples of phages from each of these groups…

Answer 2

• ssDNA -> M13
• dsDNA -> T4, lambda, T3, T7
• ssRNA -> MS2

Question 3

The most common phage genomes are…

Answer 3

dsDNA

Question 4

ɸX174 is an…

Answer 4

Icosohedral phage

Question 5

M13 is a…

Answer 5

Filamentous phage

Question 6

Typical structure of a icosohedral phage…

Answer 6

Genetic material inside the ‘head’, collar where attached to tail, which ends in base plate and long tail fibres

Question 7

Name 5 uses of phages…

Answer 7

• Cloning (lambda, M13 and T7)
• Phage therapy
• ListShield for meat (stops lysteria)
• Phage display
• PRBP (phage receptor binding protein)

Question 8

Phage lambda is (lysogenic / lytic)

Answer 8

Phage lambda is lysogenic

Question 9

Lytic phage growth and replication can be examined using a…

Answer 9

Plaque assay (d’Herelle)

Answer 10