Scientists have identified a novel virus, vB_HmeY_H4907, in the depths of the Pacific Ocean, nearly 11,000 meters below the surface. This virus belongs to the category of bacteriophages, also known as “bacteria eaters.” It specifically infects halophilic bacteria of the genus Halomonas, commonly found in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. vB_HmeY_H4907 is considered a lysogenic phage, meaning it integrates its genetic material into the host bacteria without immediate lethality, allowing both virus and bacteria to replicate simultaneously. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and reproduce within bacterial and archaeal cells, and they are recognized as the most abundant biological entities on Earth due to their diverse forms and widespread presence in various environments.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Halophilic Bacteria: Bacteria adapted to high-salt environments, such as those found in deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
- Lysogenic Phage: A type of bacteriophage that incorporates its genetic material into the host bacterium’s DNA and replicates alongside it without immediately killing the host.
- Archaea: Single-celled prokaryotic organisms similar to bacteria but genetically distinct. Bacteriophages can also infect archaea.
- Frederick W. Twort and Félix d’Hérelle: Independent discoverers of bacteriophages in the early 20th century, these scientists made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of these viruses.
- Protein Capsid: The protective protein shell surrounding the genetic material of a virus. It is a critical component of a virus’s structure and function.