Jokes apart, the typical structure of a bacteriophage has been depicted in the image below.
A bacteriophage is a very small organism, ranging in length from 24 to 200 nanometers. One of the largest groups of bacteriophages is the T4 bacteriophage. It is 200 nanometers in length and 80 to 100 nanometers wide.
The size of the nucleic acid varies between different bacteriophages. Small DNA or RNA strands may contain enough genetic information to produce three to five products. Larger strands may contain enough genetic information for more than 100 gene products.
A bacteriophage is a very small organism, ranging in length from 24 to 200 nanometers. One of the largest groups of bacteriophages is the T4 bacteriophage. It is 200 nanometers in length and 80 to 100 nanometers wide.
The size of the nucleic acid varies between different bacteriophages. Small DNA or RNA strands may contain enough genetic information to produce three to five products. Larger strands may contain enough genetic information for more than 100 gene products.
Head or Capsid Structure
The genetic material of the bacteriophage is stored in the head or capsid region. It is part of the overall structure of a bacteriophage. The capsid is usually in a geometric shape, and it consists of protein. Most have 20 sides and are called icosahedral. Other bacteriophage capsids are not as compact and are referred to as filamentous.
The capsid is composed of one or two different proteins. The main function of the capsid is to protect the genetic material from the environment. Specifically, the capsid prevents enzymes from breaking down the genetic material.
Tail Structure
From the capsid, a long string of proteins make up the tail structure of a bacteriophage. The tail is a hollow tube that serves as a passageway for the genetic material to pass from the capsid to the host bacteria. The entire tail is covered with a sheath, and some bacteriophages feature a base plate and fibres at the bottom of the tail. The base plate and fibres are used to securely attach the bacteriophage to the bacteria sheath, which contracts during an infection.
The genetic material of the bacteriophage is stored in the head or capsid region. It is part of the overall structure of a bacteriophage. The capsid is usually in a geometric shape, and it consists of protein. Most have 20 sides and are called icosahedral. Other bacteriophage capsids are not as compact and are referred to as filamentous.
The capsid is composed of one or two different proteins. The main function of the capsid is to protect the genetic material from the environment. Specifically, the capsid prevents enzymes from breaking down the genetic material.
Tail Structure
From the capsid, a long string of proteins make up the tail structure of a bacteriophage. The tail is a hollow tube that serves as a passageway for the genetic material to pass from the capsid to the host bacteria. The entire tail is covered with a sheath, and some bacteriophages feature a base plate and fibres at the bottom of the tail. The base plate and fibres are used to securely attach the bacteriophage to the bacteria sheath, which contracts during an infection.