2018/11/16 The Genetics of Microorganisms 8
1.1 Bacteriophage T4
Bacteriophage T4 is a large virus that stores its genetic information in a double-stranded DNA molecule packaged inside a proteinaceous head.
Microorganisms have made important
contributions to the science of genetics.
2018/11/16
The Genetics of Microorganisms
4
Key Points
Their small size, short generation time, and
The tail of the virus contains several important components. Its central hollow core provides the channel through which the phage DNA is injected into bacterium. The tail sheath functions as a small muscle that contracts and pushes the tail core through the bacterial cell wall. The six tail fibers are used to locate receptors on the host cell, and the tail pins on the baseplate the attach firmly to these receptors.
