The Tails of Some Bacteriophage

Question

The tails of some bacteriophage
A)include a tail sheath that shortens.
B)rotate like flagella to drive the phage genome into the cytoplasm of the host.
C)exhibit oar-like motion that drives the phage genome into the cytoplasm of the host.
D)None of the choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

The tails of bacteriophages typically include a tail sheath that contracts, like a syringe, to inject the phage genome into the cytoplasm of the host cell. This contraction is often triggered by receptor binding and triggers the release of the genome into the host. The tails do not rotate or exhibit oar-like motion.