Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

17. Viruses

Viruses

General Biology

17. Viruses

Viruses

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0:58 minutes

Problem 4

Textbook Question

A bacterium is infected with an experimentally constructed bacteriophage composed of the T2 phage protein coat and T4 phage DNA. The new phages produced would have
a. T2 protein and T4 DNA.
b. T4 protein and T2 DNA.
c. T2 protein and T2 DNA.
d. T4 protein and T4 DNA.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of bacteriophages: Bacteriophages consist of a protein coat and genetic material, which can be either DNA or RNA. The protein coat protects the genetic material and facilitates the infection of host cells.

Identify the components involved in the problem: The bacterium is infected with a bacteriophage that has a T2 phage protein coat and T4 phage DNA. This means the protein coat is from the T2 phage, while the genetic material is from the T4 phage.

Consider the replication process of bacteriophages: When a bacteriophage infects a bacterium, it injects its genetic material into the host cell. The host cell's machinery is then used to replicate the phage's DNA and produce new phage particles.

Determine the outcome of the infection: Since the genetic material (DNA) dictates the characteristics of the new phages, the new phages produced will have the DNA of the T4 phage. The protein coat of the new phages will be determined by the genetic instructions provided by the T4 DNA.

Conclude the characteristics of the new phages: The new phages produced will have T4 protein and T4 DNA, as the DNA from the T4 phage will direct the synthesis of both the protein coat and the genetic material.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Bacteriophage Structure

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, consisting of a protein coat (capsid) and genetic material, either DNA or RNA. The protein coat protects the genetic material and facilitates the infection of the host bacterium. Understanding the structure is crucial for determining how phages replicate and what components are passed on to progeny.

Genetic Material Replication

During the infection process, the genetic material of the bacteriophage is injected into the host bacterium, where it hijacks the host's cellular machinery to replicate its DNA and produce new phage components. The type of DNA present in the initial phage determines the genetic material of the progeny, as the host replicates the injected DNA.

Phage Assembly

After replication, new phage particles are assembled within the host cell. The protein coat is synthesized based on the genetic instructions provided by the phage DNA. Therefore, the type of protein coat in the progeny phages is determined by the DNA of the infecting phage, not the protein coat of the original phage.

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