How Do You Spell PROPHAGE EXCISION?

1. Prophage excision refers to the process by which a prophage, which is a viral genome integrated into the host cell's chromosome, is removed or excised from the host DNA. A prophage is formed when a bacteriophage (a type of virus that infects bacteria) inserts its genetic material into the genome of a bacterial cell and becomes dormant, replicating and being passed on to subsequent generations along with the host DNA.

   Prophage excision is an essential step in the lytic cycle of bacteriophages. It is typically triggered by certain environmental signals or stressors, such as DNA damage or nutrient deprivation, which signal the prophage to separate from the host DNA and re-enter its lytic cycle. During excision, specific enzymes called recombinases facilitate the precise removal of the prophage DNA from the bacterial chromosome. This process involves recombination events at specific DNA sequences called attachment sites or att sites.

   Once excised, the prophage can follow one of two pathways. It may initiate the lytic cycle, rapidly replicating its DNA and producing new viral particles, ultimately leading to the lysis or death of the bacterial cell. Alternatively, the excised prophage may enter a dormant state known as the lysogenic cycle, reattaching to the bacterial chromosome and being passed down to future bacterial generations without inducing viral replication.

   Understanding the mechanisms involved in prophage excision is crucial in studying the interplay between bacteriophages and bacteria, as well as the potential impact on bacterial genetics, evolution, and the transfer of genetic material between different bacterial strains.

Common Misspellings for PROPHAGE EXCISION

The word "prophage excision" has its roots in the field of molecular biology. To understand its etymology, let's break it down:

1. Prophage: A prophage is a bacteriophage (a type of virus) that has integrated its genetic material into the DNA of its host bacterium. The term "prophage" is derived from "pro-" (meaning before or ahead of time) and "phage" (short for bacteriophage).

2. Excision: Excision refers to the removal or extraction of something. It comes from the Latin word "excisus", which means "cut out" or "removed".

Therefore, the term "prophage excision" refers to the process of removing or cutting out the integrated genetic material of a prophage from the DNA of its host bacterium.