There are a number of wonderful things in the world of biology – and not all are beautiful. Bacteriophage may not be pretty, but it is powerful – and we are going to learn all about the different parts in just a few short steps. Let’s get started!
Tutorial Video
Step-By-Step Images and Instructions
1.
Start with a black fineliner and a ruler, and draw a hexagon in the center of your page, adding dots at each point.
2.
Add a line across from the top points of the hexagon, and then bring two lines up to meet the top point.
3.
Bring two lines down from the points on this line, creating a triangle at either side.
4.
Draw another small triangle at the bottom of the hexagon.
5.
Bring two lines up from the top points of the triangle.
6.
Add a line across in the center, creating a rectangle above the triangle.
7.
Now, add a series of ovals in this central section, one on top of the other.
8.
Use a black pen to go over the lines, and then add a long, thin oval to the bottom of the triangle, and two short, parallel lines below this. Then, add two curved “brackets” to the bottom.
9.
Add two parallel, bumpy lines to the bottom of this, heading towards the bottom of the page.
10.
Use the ruler to connect these with a series of horizontal lines.
11.
Add a small rectangle to the bottom…
12.
And then a jagged shape below this.
13.
Grab a thick black pen and the ruler, and draw three sets of lines on each side, each of which angles down towards the bottom corners.
14.
Shade the central section in between these with a black pen, and use this to color the section at the top.
15.
Use a blue pen for the central section…
16.
And then use an orange pen for the four outer triangles at the top.
17.
Use a brown pen to shade the rest of the triangles at the top…
18.
And then use a pink pen for the section in the center.
19.
Grab a black fineliner and a ruler, and add horizontal lines on the right, and two long, vertical lines on the left, with small marks on the top and bottom of each.
20.
Now, use a black pen to label the parts – “Head” and “Tail Assembly” on the left, and “Nucleic acid (DNA) on the top right, followed by “Collar/Neck”, “Tail Sheath” and “Tail Fibers”, and then “Tail Pins” and “Base Plate” along the bottom.
And there we have it – everything that you need to get started with your research; but there is still plenty to explore!
