Biology Terminology

Question

Hi! I need help identifying the difference between the terms: provirus, retrovirus, bacteriophages and prophages?

Answer 1

Hi! A retrovirus is a virus that takes its own viral RNA, reverse transcribes it into DNA, and integrates its genetic material into the genome of its host. (Fun fact - this means that the viral genetic material can be passed down with the host's DNA. As retroviruses have infected humans over time, a small percentage of your own human genome originally came from retroviruses from long ago!)

"Provirus" is the term for the actual genetic material that has integrated into the host genome.

A bacteriophage is the term for a virus that specifically infects bacteria.

Similar to "provirus," "prophage" is what we call the genetic material that the bacteriophage integrates into the bacterial host genome. Later, the virus will use this integrated genetic material to reproduce.

Hope this helps!