alleryStart learning →When a bacteriophage infects a bacterium, what becomes of the phage capsid?
AIt is engulfed along with the genome
BIt fuses with the plasma membrane
CIt is carried to the host nucleus
DIt stays outside the bacterial cell
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It stays outside the bacterial cell
1. Entry differs between phages and the viruses of plants and animals.
2. The nucleic acid of a bacteriophage enters the host cell naked.
3. The capsid is left behind outside the cell.
4. Endocytosis of the whole particle is the plant and animal route, so that option describes the wrong host type.
5. Bacteria have no nucleus, so nothing can be carried to one.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 21 "Viruses", section 21.2 Virus Infections and Hosts_
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