prophage

prophage definition - medical

pro·phage (prōˈfājˌ)

noun
The latent form of a bacteriophage in which viral genes are incorporated into bacterial chromosomes disrupting the bacterial cell. Also called probacteriophage.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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