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Chapter 8: Problem 16

Define the term prophage.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: A prophage is a phage genome integrated into the bacterial host's DNA, becoming part of the bacterial chromosome and replicating along with the host bacteria. In the bacterial life cycle, the prophage remains dormant during the lysogenic cycle and does not destroy the host cell. However, under certain conditions, it can revert to the lytic cycle, producing new phage particles and destroying the host cell. Additionally, the presence of prophage DNA can provide benefits to the host bacteria, such as increased resistance to stressors.

Step by step solution

01

Defining a Prophage

A prophage is a phage (a virus that infects bacteria) genome that has been integrated into the bacterial host's DNA. It becomes a part of the bacterial chromosome and can replicate along with the host bacteria.
02

Explaining the Role of Prophage in the Bacterial Life Cycle

The prophage is in a dormant state within the bacterial host during the lysogenic cycle. It remains inactive and does not destroy the host cell. However, under certain conditions such as stress or DNA damage, the prophage can revert to a lytic cycle, where it will start to produce new phage particles, leading to the destruction of the host cell. During the lysogenic cycle, the presence of the prophage DNA can potentially provide additional benefits or traits to the host bacteria, such as increased resistance to environmental stressors.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Why are the recombinants produced from an Hfr \(\times \mathrm{F}^{-}\) cross rarely, if ever, \(\mathrm{F}^{+}\) ?

Describe the difference between the lytic cycle and lysogeny when bacteriophage infection occurs.

Explain the observations that led Zinder and Lederberg to conclude that the prototrophs recovered in their transduction experiments were not the result of Hfr-mediated conjugation.

A plaque assay is performed beginning with \(1.0 \mathrm{mL}\) of a solution containing bacteriophages. This solution is serially diluted three times by taking \(0.1 \mathrm{mL}\) and adding it to \(9.9 \mathrm{mL}\) of liquid medium. \(0.1 \mathrm{mL}\) of the final dilution is plated and yields 17 plaques. What is the initial density of bacteriophages in the original \(1.0 \mathrm{mL} ?\)

In the plaque assay, what is the precise origin of a single plaque?
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