Viruses are part of our everyday life, but the current global pandemic has renewed deeper interest in them among the general population. Of course, it is not surprising that they have a negative reputation, as most people don’t see any benefit in their existence. However, there are certain types of viruses, primarily those attacking bacteria, that can do us a favor. In fact, we can confidently state that these viruses play a critical role in bacteria population control.
Key Takeaways:
- Bacteriophages can selectively kill bacteria in ways that are beneficial to us.
- Phages also have very high rates of replication and mutation, leading to many variants.
- Temperate phages infect bacterial cells and can be triggered to leave by DNA damage.
“Viruses have a bad reputation. They are responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic and a long list of maladies that have plagued humanity since time immemorial. Is there anything to celebrate about them?”
Read more: https://theconversation.com/viruses-are-both-the-villains-and-heroes-of-life-as-we-know-it-169131
