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11 grade biology others

The virus that infects bacteria is called _________A. CyanophageB. MycophageC. BacteriophageD. None of these

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1 Year agoGrade
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1 Answer

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1 Year ago

The correct answer is C. Bacteriophage.

Explanation:
A virus that infects and replicates within bacteria is called a bacteriophage. The term "bacteriophage" is derived from "bacteria" and the Greek word "phagein," which means "to devour." These viruses are highly specific to their bacterial hosts and are used in various scientific fields, including molecular biology and biotechnology. Bacteriophages attach to the bacterial cell, inject their genetic material, and use the host's machinery to replicate, often leading to the destruction of the bacterial cell.

Other options explained:

A. Cyanophage: These are viruses that specifically infect cyanobacteria, not general bacteria.
B. Mycophage: These are viruses that infect fungi, not bacteria.
D. None of these: This is incorrect because bacteriophage is the appropriate term for viruses infecting bacteria.
Thus, the answer is C. Bacteriophage.