What is the Difference Between T4 and Lambda Phage?

The T4 and Lambda phages are two types of bacteriophages that infect Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. They differ in several aspects, including their genetic material, morphology, and replication cycles.

T4 Phage:

• Contains double-stranded DNA as its genetic material.
• Belongs to the family Myoviridae.
• Has a contractile tail region.
• Is a virulent phage, replicating mainly via the lytic cycle.
• Produces a spike on its head.

Lambda Phage:

• Contains RNA as its genetic material.
• Belongs to the family Siphoviridae.
• Has a non-contractile tail.
• Is a temperate phage, capable of entering the lysogenic cycle.
• Does not have a spike on its head, has a smaller size compared to the T4 phage.

In summary, the T4 phage is a virulent phage with double-stranded DNA as its genetic material, while the Lambda phage is a temperate phage with RNA as its genetic material. They also differ in their morphology, replication cycles, and family classification.

Comparative Table: T4 vs Lambda Phage

T4 and Lambda phages are two types of bacteriophages that infect E. coli. They differ in their morphology, replication cycles, and interactions with their host bacteria. Here is a table summarizing the differences between T4 and Lambda phages:

T4 phages are virulent and primarily replicate through the lytic cycle, which results in the destruction of the host bacteria. In contrast, Lambda phages are temperate and can undergo a lysogenic cycle, where they exist as a prophage state inside the bacterium without harming it for generations. The T4 phage has a larger size and a spike on its head, while the Lambda phage does not have a spike and is smaller. The T4 phage tail is contractile, whereas the Lambda phage tail is non-contractile. The Lambda phage has the ability to integrate its genome into the bacterial genome and replicate in concert with the bacterium.