2004 AIPMT Biological ClassificationViruses: Bacteriophages Easy Question 97 of 117 in Biological Classification

Viruses that infect bacteria, multiply and cause their lysis are called -

A Lipolytic
B Lytic
C Lysogenic
D Lysozymes

The answer is B.

Solution

Viruses that infect bacteria are called bacteriophages.
In the lytic cycle, the phage injects its DNA, takes over the host cell's machinery, makes many new phage particles, and finally breaks open (lyses) the bacterial cell to release them. Such phages are called lytic (virulent) phages, e.g. T4.
Lysogenic (temperate) phages integrate their DNA into the bacterial chromosome as a prophage and do not lyse the cell immediately.
Lysozyme is an enzyme that digests bacterial cell walls; lipolytic refers to fat-digesting activity.
So viruses that infect bacteria, multiply and cause their lysis are called lytic.

Concept Lytic cycle of bacteriophage

Biological Classification in past papers

117 questions from this chapter have appeared across 26 exam years.