A bacteriophage is defined as which type of virus?

A bacteriophage is specifically defined as a virus that infects bacteria. These viruses are highly specialized and can attach to bacterial cells, injecting their genetic material into the host. Once inside, the bacteriophage can either enter a lytic cycle, where it replicates and causes the bacterial cell to burst, or a lysogenic cycle, where it integrates its DNA into the bacterial genome and can remain dormant for a time. This specificity to bacteria distinguishes bacteriophages from other viruses that may infect animals or humans.

Understanding the nature of bacteriophages is crucial in microbiology and can have significant implications in fields such as medicine and biotechnology, especially with rising concerns over antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophages might be explored as a therapeutic alternative to antibiotics in treating bacterial infections. This unique relationship underscores the important role that bacteriophages play in the ecology of microbes and the potential applications in health sciences.