Question

The cryptogram of T2 coliphage is
A) ${\displaystyle \frac{D}{2}},{\displaystyle \frac{130}{3}},{\displaystyle \frac{X}{X}},{\displaystyle \frac{B}{O}}$
B) ${\displaystyle \frac{D}{2}},{\displaystyle \frac{3}{7}},{\displaystyle \frac{S}{S}},{\displaystyle \frac{V}{O}}$
C) ${\displaystyle \frac{D}{2}},{\displaystyle \frac{137}{40}},{\displaystyle \frac{S}{S}},{\displaystyle \frac{B}{O}}$
D) ${\displaystyle \frac{R}{1}},{\displaystyle \frac{54}{92}},{\displaystyle \frac{X}{X}},{\displaystyle \frac{V}{O}}$

Answer 1

Hint:T2 coliphage belongs to the class of T-even phages. This phage is responsible for infecting and killing E.coli cells and other related bacteria. It has a linear double stranded DNA genome and belongs to the family Myoviridae. It attaches to the bacterial cell with the help of its tail fiber. Then it passes its genetic material inside the cell which uses the host machinery to replicate itself. After sufficient rounds of replication it leaves the host cell by causing it’s lysis.

Complete answer:
 Cryptogram refers to the process that is used in the identification of viruses by using different characteristics that are specific to a particular type of virus such as the type of nucleic acid, its molecular weight, the percentage of nucleic acid, the form of the nucleocapsid, the form of the particle and also the type of host it infects. It was discovered by Gibbs, Harrison, Watson and Wildy in 1966. In case of coliphage it has a double stranded genome so it's ${\displaystyle \frac{D}{2}}$. Its molecular weight is approximately 130 million dalton and the percentage of nucleic acid is 30. The shape of T2 coliphage has not been described yet so it is ${\displaystyle \frac{X}{X}}$ and the phage can infect bacteria without requiring any vector so it is ${\displaystyle \frac{B}{O}}$.

So the correct answer of this question is ${\displaystyle \frac{D}{2}},{\displaystyle \frac{130}{3}},{\displaystyle \frac{X}{X}},{\displaystyle \frac{B}{O}}$.

Note:Thus we can see that knowing some of the common features of a virus helps to determine the cryptogram. Cryptograms are helpful because it helps us to understand the classification of different viruses in a very simple and easy way.