VIRUS GENETICS, MULTIPLICATION, AND PHYSICS 



F:-..v:-:v.-.H Protein 



197 



VAVA Nucleic Acid 



t:izi:=ziz:| Water 



! I Nucleoprotein 



+ 





100 & 



Fig. 8.4. Suggested structure for T-1 bacteriophage. The hook shaped central 

 part is the nucleic acid essential for multiplication. If one-third of this is 

 intact, the virus will kill bacteria. About 50 enzyme-like molecules are re- 

 quired to produce a short latent period; these are indicated as nucleoprotein. 

 The whole is surrounded by a protein sheath, unessential for operation in the 

 bacterium. An enlarged view of the antigenic part, with surface charges for 

 attachment, is shown. 



the protein. To indicate this in a token way, it has been placed 

 as a long rod in the center of the virus, with protein units at- 

 tached to it. Obviously, other ways exist, but it seems plausible 

 that the nucleic acid extends down the virus. The second point 

 concerns the antigenic units, which are small. In the figure, they 



