Question

Zymophage is a parasite of
(a) Bacteria
(b) Algae
(c) Yeast
(d) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Zymophage lives as a parasite on eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms. These hosts are a member of the kingdom fungi. Along with algae, these are the only organisms to have motile male and female gametes.

Complete answer:
Zymophage is a parasite of yeast. An organism that lives on or in a host organism and derives its nutrition from or at the expense of its host is called a ‘parasite.’ Viruses live as parasites on several organisms. Based on the host cell they infect, viruses are classified into:
- Zoophages: Viral parasites on animals.
- Phytophages: Viruses as parasites on plants.
- Phycophages: Algae serves as the host of this type of viruses.
- Mycophages: Fungi are the host for this type of viruses.
- Zymophages: Viral parasites on yeast.
- Bacteriophages: Viruses as parasites on bacteria.
- Cyanophages: Cyanobacteria serves as the host of this type of viruses.
- Coliphages: E. coli are the host for this type of viruses.

So, the correct answer is, ‘Yeast.’

Additional Information:
- The literal meaning of bacteriophage is bacteria eater. Phages have been used as an alternative to antibiotics for a while now.
- They are seen as a possible therapy against multidrug-resistant strains of many bacteria.


Note:
- A bacteriophage is also simply known as phage. They are composed of proteins that encapsulate DNA or RNA genome. Phages replicate within the bacterium after injecting the genome into its cytoplasm.
- Phycodnaviridae is a family of large double-stranded DNA viruses which infect freshwater or marine eukaryotic algae. Most of the genera under this family enter the host cell by endocytosis and then replicate in its nucleus.