What is T2 phage?
{{Virusbox | image = Tevenphage.svg | parent = Tequatrovirus | species = Escherichia virus T4 | strain = Enterobacteria phage T2 }} '''T2 phage''' is more properly called '''''Enterobacteria phage T2'''''. It is a virulent [[bacteriophage]] which infects ''[[Escherichia coli]]'' [[bacteria]]. It contains linear double-stranded [[DNA]], and is covered by a protective [[protein]] coat. T2 is a 'tailed phage',<ref>Ackermann H.-W. 2003. Bacteriophage observations and evolution. ''Science Direct''. [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0923250803000676]</ref> one of a group known as the 'T4-like viruses'. The DNA of the phage is injected into ''E. coli'' cells. It quickly turns the ''E. coli'' cell into a T2-producing factory. New phages are released when the cell ruptures. The [[Hershey–Chase experiment]]s, done by [[Alfred Hershey]] and [[Martha Chase]], showed how the DNA of viruses is injected into the bacterial cells, while most of the viral proteins stay outside. The injected DNA molecules cause the bacterial cells to produce more viral DNA and proteins. These discoveries showed that DNA, rather than proteins, is the [[hereditary]] material. == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Viruses]]