What is the primary function of a bacteriophage?

The primary function of a bacteriophage is to infect bacteria and transfer genetic material. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses specifically designed to target bacterial cells. Upon infection, they can inject their genetic material into the host bacterium, which can either incorporate the phage DNA into its own genome or begin to produce new phage particles. This process can lead to the destruction of the bacterial cell (lytic cycle) or a more subtle interaction where the phage DNA is integrated into the bacterial genome (lysogenic cycle), leading to potential changes in the bacterial cell’s characteristics.

Bacteriophages are vital in studies about genetics, bacterial evolution, and biocontrol of bacterial populations, emphasizing their importance in both ecology and medicine. This capability to transfer genetic material can influence bacterial traits such as virulence or antibiotic resistance, showcasing the multifaceted role of phages in the microbial world.

The other choices do not accurately describe the primary function of a bacteriophage in the context of microbiology. While some may relate to bacteria in broader ways, they do not capture the specific and unique role that bacteriophages play in interacting with bacterial cells.