False-colour transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of T2 bacteriophages (phages), a virus type that only infects bacterial cells. Lacking any reprodu

---

False-colour transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of T2 bacteriophages (phages), a virus type that only infects bacterial cells. Lacking any reproductive machinery themselves, they infect bacteria & commandeer their cellular apparatus for purposes of replication. The genetic material (DNA) of the phage is contained within the head, an icosahedral figure (coloured scarlet). Each head is attached to a linear, contractile tail (rocket-like). Phages of human faecal bacteria may cause malabsorption if released in sufficient quantities. Magnification: x17,000 at 6x7cm size.

---

Size: 3881px × 3045px
Photo credit: © CNRI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: bacteriophage, bacteriophages, false-coloured, microbiology, phage, t2, virology, virus, viruses