bacterial viruses

Bacterial viruses, known as bacteriophages or simply phages, are tiny viruses that specifically infect bacteria. They attach to a bacterial cell, inject their genetic material, and hijack the bacterium's machinery to produce more viruses. Once assembled, they often cause the bacterial cell to burst, releasing new phages to infect nearby bacteria. Bacteriophages are naturally occurring and play a key role in regulating bacterial populations in various environments. They are also studied for potential uses in medicine and biotechnology, such as targeting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.