EFFECT OF SODIUM SULFATE ON THE PHAGE-BACTERIUM REACTION

Abstract

Bacteriophagy taking place in the presence of M/8 Na₂SO₄ has the following pronounced characteristics: A. Time of lysis is considerably prolonged. B. The bacteria take up less than the normal amount of phage. C. Phage production occurs at one-third the customary rate. D. It takes four times as much phage to lyse a Na₂SO₄-treated bacterium than a normal one. E. Bacterial growth is not affected by Na₂SO₄. The lag phase and the lowered rate of phage production can be attributed to the Na₂SO₄ effect on the cell surface. Less phage is taken up by the cells and contact of phage with the bacterium's precursor-producing mechanism is impeded.

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