Bacteriophages: Abundant and Diverse Entities

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In comparison to eukaryotic cells, bacterial cells are usually:

Diploid

Triploid

Aneuploid

Haploid (correct)

What is the typical composition of bacterial chromosomes?

Single, circular DNA molecule (correct)

Double-stranded RNA molecules

Triple-stranded DNA molecule

Multiple linear DNA molecules

How do bacterial chromosomes replicate?

Non-conservative method

Dispersive method

Conservative method

Semi-conservative method (correct)

Which enzyme is involved in synthesizing a complementary strand during DNA replication in bacteria?

Polymerase enzyme Signup and view all the answers

What holds complementary bases together in the DNA molecule?

Hydrogen bonds Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of bacteriophages in the biosphere?

Influencing microbial communities Signup and view all the answers

What is the length range of bacterial chromosomes?

$4000-5000 Kbps$ Signup and view all the answers

How do bacteriophages attach to bacterial cells?

They have receptor-binding proteins on their surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the entry (penetration) phase of bacteriophage infection?

The phage injects its genetic material into the host cell Signup and view all the answers

How does a bacteriophage replicate inside a bacterial cell?

By using the host's cellular machinery Signup and view all the answers

In which phase of bacteriophage infection is the phage's protein coat (capsid) usually found outside the host cell?

Entry (Penetration) Signup and view all the answers

What happens after the replication of new phage particles within a bacterial cell?

The host cell lyses, releasing new phages Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of a lysogenic pathway in bacteriophages?

Integration of genetic material into the bacterial chromosome Signup and view all the answers

What is a frameshift mutation?

Inserts or deletes nucleotide(s) that alters the reading frame Signup and view all the answers

Which type of variation in bacteria is reversible and not heritable?

Phenotypic Variation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of mutations resulting from errors during DNA replication?

Wrong nucleotides being inserted Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the transfer of genetic material between bacteria through direct cell-to-cell contact?

Conjugation Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of F plasmids in conjugation?

They carry genes that enable conjugation Signup and view all the answers