During Penetration of E. Coli by the T4 Phage

Question

During penetration of E. coli by the T4 phage
A)lysozyme is used to allow entry of the phage capsid.
B)the tail acts as a "hypodermic needle", injecting the phage DNA into the cell.
C)the protein fibers digest a hole in the cell wall.
D)the bacterial receptor molecules open a hole through the cell wall.

Accepted Answer

During penetration of E. coli by T4 phage, the tail acts as a "hypodermic needle", injecting the phage DNA into the cell. The tail fibers recognize and bind to specific receptor molecules on the bacterial cell surface, and then the tail sheath contracts, pushing the tail tube through the bacterial envelope and cell wall, allowing the phage DNA to be injected into the bacterial cytoplasm.