What do we call a virus that attacks a bacterium?

1 Answer
Suren Abreu
Dec 9, 2016

A bacteriophage.

Explanation:

A virus that infects and replicates within a bacterium, destroying it in the process, is called a bacteriophage (from bacteria + phagein [Greek for devour]).

They are seen as potential alternatives to antibiotic therapy because of their particular effect on the host bacterium and the absence of side effects.

Related questions
See all questions in Viruses
Impact of this question
3008 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License