COLIPHAGE T Meaning and
Definition
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Coliphage T, also known as T4 coliphage, is a bacteriophage that specifically targets and infects Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. Bacteriophages, often referred to as phages, are viruses that infect bacteria and replicate within their host cells. They possess a high specificity towards certain bacterial strains and can be found naturally in various environments, including water and sewage systems.
Coliphage T has a complex structure consisting of an icosahedral head and a long, non-contractile tail, enabling it to recognize and attach to specific receptors on the surface of E. coli cells. Once attached, the phage injects its DNA into the bacterial cell, taking control of its cellular machinery and diverting it towards the production of new viral particles. The phage DNA replicates and assembles new viral components, ultimately resulting in the lysis, or bursting, of the infected bacterial cell and the release of numerous progeny phages.
Coliphage T has been extensively studied and used as a model organism in virology research due to its well-characterized genetic and physiological properties. It has been particularly valuable in elucidating fundamental aspects of viral replication, DNA packaging, and host-virus interactions. Moreover, the intricate mechanisms employed by coliphage T to infect and destroy its host have made it a promising candidate for the development of phage therapy, a potential alternative to antibiotics for controlling bacterial infections.
Common Misspellings for COLIPHAGE T
- xoliphage t
- voliphage t
- foliphage t
- doliphage t
- ciliphage t
- ckliphage t
- clliphage t
- cpliphage t
- c0liphage t
- c9liphage t
- cokiphage t
- copiphage t
- cooiphage t
- coluphage t
- coljphage t
- colkphage t
- colophage t
- col9phage t
- col8phage t
- coliohage t
Etymology of COLIPHAGE T
The word "coliphage T" is a combination of two parts: "coli" and "phage T".
1. "Coli" refers to Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The term "coli" comes from the Latin word "colon", meaning intestine or gut.
2. "Phage" is a shortened form of "bacteriophage", which is a type of virus that infects and replicates within bacteria. The word "phage" originates from the Greek word "phagos", meaning to devour or eat.
3. The letter "T" is used to designate a specific strain or variant of a bacteriophage. It represents a system of classification to differentiate between various subtypes of phages.
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