Question

The type of nucleic acid present in \( \lambda \)-phage is

• A. Double stranded DNA
• B. Single stranded circular DNA
• C. Single stranded DNA
• D. Single stranded RNA

Hint:

The \( \lambda \)-phage, like many other bacteriophages, uses double-stranded DNA as its genetic material, which is different from the RNA found in many other types of viruses.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The \( \lambda \)-phage (Lambda phage) is a well-studied bacteriophage, a type of virus that infects bacteria. The nucleic acid of the \( \lambda \)-phage is double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). The structure of the \( \lambda \)-phage's genome consists of linear DNA that circularizes once inside the host bacterium.
The DNA in the \( \lambda \)-phage is unique because, although the genome is linear during the infection process, it forms a circular DNA molecule once integrated into the host cell. This double-stranded DNA molecule contains the genetic instructions for the virus to replicate and produce more viral particles.
- Option (A): The double stranded DNA is the correct answer, as it describes the genetic material of \( \lambda \)-phage.
- Option (B): The single stranded circular DNA is not accurate for \( \lambda \)-phage, as the phage has double-stranded DNA that circularizes once inside the host.
- Option (C): The single stranded DNA is not correct either because \( \lambda \)-phage has double-stranded DNA.
- Option (D): The single stranded RNA is also incorrect because \( \lambda \)-phage has DNA, not RNA, as its nucleic acid.
Thus, the correct answer is (A) Double stranded DNA.