What type of cells does Bacteriophage Lambda infect?

Study for the University of Toronto BIO230H1 Midterm Exam. Grasp complex concepts with interactive questions and detailed explanations. Prepare effectively to excel in your exam!

Bacteriophage Lambda specifically targets bacterial cells, which is fundamental to its role as a virus. Bacteriophages, or phages, are a unique group of viruses that infect bacteria. Lambda phage, in particular, is known for its ability to integrate its genetic material into the host bacterial genome, specifically within Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. This process allows it to enter a lysogenic cycle, where the viral DNA can remain dormant and be replicated along with the host DNA during bacterial cell division.

The other options do not apply as Bacteriophage Lambda is not known to infect plant, animal, or fungal cells. Each of these cell types has a different structural composition and cellular machinery, which makes them incompatible with the mechanisms employed by Bacteriophage Lambda for infection and replication. This specificity highlights the intricate relationship between viruses and their respective host organisms, particularly within the context of bacteriophages.

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