Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and lyse bacterial cells.
Explanation:
The virus injects its genetic material in the bacteria cell, integrates it into the host genome, and ‘hijacks’ the host machinery to replicate itself. The replicated virus parts also get assembled inside the bacteria cell and accumulate in large numbers until the bacteria cell is unable to accommodate them and lyses.
Bacteriophages play a big role in the cycling of nutrients especially in the oceans where the lysed bacteria are good ‘fodder’ for planktons growth.
