lytic phage

A lytic phage is a type of virus that infects bacteria. It attaches to a bacterial cell and injects its genetic material, taking over the cell's machinery to produce more viruses. Once the new viruses are assembled, the phage causes the bacteria to burst open (lyse), releasing the new viruses to infect neighboring bacteria. This process results in the rapid destruction of the bacterial cell. Lytic phages are naturally occurring agents that can be used to target and control bacterial populations, and they play a role in controlling bacterial infections in the environment and, potentially, in medical treatments.