coliphage
Definition
Noun: A bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria) that specifically infects the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Usage
The term "coliphage" is used in scientific contexts, particularly in microbiology, virology, and molecular biology, to refer to viruses that target E. coli bacteria. These viruses are often used as model systems in laboratory research.
Examples
- Scientists used a coliphage to study viral replication mechanisms.
- The presence of certain coliphages in water can be an indicator of fecal contamination.
- Lambda phage is a well-known coliphage used in genetic engineering.
Advanced Usage
- Coliphage typing: A method for identifying different strains of bacteria, particularly E. coli, based on their susceptibility to specific coliphages.
- Coliphage typing was employed to track the source of the bacterial outbreak.
Variants and Related Words
- Bacteriophage (phage) (n): The general term for a virus that infects bacteria. A coliphage is a specific type of bacteriophage.
- Lytic phage (n): A bacteriophage that replicates by lysing (bursting) the host cell. Many coliphages are lytic.
- Temperate phage (n): A bacteriophage that can integrate its genome into the host's DNA and replicate without immediately killing the cell. Lambda is a temperate coliphage.
Synonyms
- E. coli phage: A direct synonym, explicitly naming the host bacterium.
Notes on Meaning
The meaning of "coliphage" is highly specific and technical. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses. Its definition is consistently tied to its function as a virus infecting E. coli.
Noun
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a bacteriophage that infects the bacterium Escherichia coli
