Computer illustration of a T4 bacteriophage virus. The head contains DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) inside a protein coat. Attached to this is the tail,

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Computer illustration of a T4 bacteriophage virus. The head contains DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) inside a protein coat. Attached to this is the tail, consisting of a tube-like sheath and tail fibres (at bottom). T4 bacteriophages are parasites of Escherichia coli, a bacterium common in the human gut. The virus attaches itself to the host bacterium cell wall by its tail fibres; the sheath then contracts, injecting the contents of the head (DNA) into the host. The viral DNA makes the bacteria manufacture more copies of the virus.

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Size: 7241px × 4827px
Photo credit: © ELLA MARU STUDIO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, acid, artwork, background, bacteriophage, bacteriophages, deoxyribonucleic, dna, genetic, grey, head, heads, illustration, material, microbiology, particle, particles, phage, phages, t4, tail, tails, virion, virions, virology, virus, viruses