Temperate phage

Temperate Phage

A temperate phage is a type of bacteriophage that exhibits a lysogenic life cycle, as opposed to a lytic life cycle. This means that the phage can incorporate its genome into the host bacterium's genome, allowing it to replicate along with the host cell, rather than immediately killing the host cell to release new phage particles.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of a temperate phage begins when the phage attaches to a specific receptor on the surface of a bacterium. The phage then injects its DNA into the bacterium, where it can either enter the lytic cycle or the lysogenic cycle.

In the lysogenic cycle, the phage DNA integrates into the bacterial chromosome, becoming a prophage. The prophage is then replicated along with the bacterial DNA every time the bacterium divides. This allows the phage to persist in the bacterial population without killing the host cells.

In contrast, in the lytic cycle, the phage DNA takes over the bacterial cell's machinery to produce new phage particles. The bacterium is then lysed to release the new phages, which can go on to infect other cells.

Examples

Examples of temperate phages include Lambda phage, which infects Escherichia coli, and P1 phage, which infects Salmonella species.

Significance

Temperate phages are significant in microbiology and genetics for several reasons. They can transfer genes between bacteria in a process known as transduction, contributing to genetic diversity and evolution. They can also carry virulence factors, which can enhance the pathogenicity of the host bacterium.

See Also

• Lysogeny
• Lytic cycle
• Bacteriophage
• Transduction (genetics)

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