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Background to Viruses
Viruses are life forms best placed between basic biological entities and supra molecular complexes. Viruses consist of select structures. They demonstrate certain activities associated with organic life, but lack many others. These entities are composed entirely of one strand of genetic information contained within a protein capsule and it effectively lacks many internal structures, including those required for reproduction. A virus can replicate only by infecting a suitable host.
Distinct Activity States
The bacteriophage T4 viruses exist either as a non-living virion or as an active virus. This virus is dormant until it locates a suitable host. In this state, the virus does not experience any biological activity; it exists as a static entity. It is termed a "virion" during this time. It is capable of existing for prolonged periods while waiting to infect a host cell. The bacteriophage T4 becomes active as soon as it makes contact with an E. coli cell. Then it is termed a virus. As a virus, the bacteriophage T4 reacts to its surroundings and focuses on reproducing.
Physiology
The T4 bacteriophage has a head, base plate and tail. The head contains the viral DNA strand, which injects it into the E. coli cell. The tail fibers recognize the E. coli host and anchor the T4 bacteriophage to it. The tail is also responsible for puncturing the host cell.
The Bacteriophage T4
The bacteriophage T4 remains inactive until it makes contact with an E. coli bacterium. The extended legs of the virus recognize select sites on the bacterium and the virus makes contact with the E. coli bacteria. The bacteriophage T4 punctures the bacterium and injects its own DNA into the E. coli host. The bacteriophage T4's genetic material subsequently instructs its host's cells to create replicas of itself. This produces huge numbers of viruses, to the extent that the bacterium bursts and releases the new viruses.