Question

What part of the E. coli T4 phage attaches to the host cell receptors?

a) Capsid fragments around the nucleic acid.
b) Protein fibers at the end of the phage tail.
c) Pili of the envelope.
d) Spikes of the envelope

Answer 1

The protein fibers at the end of the phage tail are the part of the T4 phage that attaches to E. coli host cell receptors, facilitating highly specific binding and infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The part of the E. coli T4 phage that attaches to the host cell receptors is the protein fibers at the end of the phage tail. These fibers, sometimes referred to as tail fibers, are specialized structures that recognize and bind to specific receptor sites on the E. coli bacterial cell. This interaction is highly specific, similar to how a key fits into a lock, ensuring that the T4 phage infects only its intended target.