Which term refers specifically to a virus that infects bacteria?

Which term refers specifically to a virus that infects bacteria?

• A. Bacteriophage
• B. Mitochondrion
• C. Prophage
• D. Prion

Answer: (A)

A virus that specifically infects bacteria is called a bacteriophage. The phage name comes from the idea of “eating” bacteria, reflecting its role as a parasite of bacterial cells. Prophage refers to the viral genome when it’s integrated into the bacterial chromosome during lysogeny, not the virus particle itself. A prion is a misfolded protein that can cause disease, not a virus. A mitochondrion is an organelle in eukaryotic cells, not a virus. So the best term for a virus that infects bacteria is bacteriophage.

A virus that specifically infects bacteria is called a bacteriophage. The phage name comes from the idea of “eating” bacteria, reflecting its role as a parasite of bacterial cells. Prophage refers to the viral genome when it’s integrated into the bacterial chromosome during lysogeny, not the virus particle itself. A prion is a misfolded protein that can cause disease, not a virus. A mitochondrion is an organelle in eukaryotic cells, not a virus. So the best term for a virus that infects bacteria is bacteriophage.