[The role of bacteriophages in the study of the architectonics of the bacterial cell wall].

Adsorption of bacteriophages on the surface of microbial cell is the first link in the chain of events leading to the development of bacteriophage infection. Adsorption is based on the presence of appropriate receptors of the various chemical nature. All the receptors are of significance for cellular metabolism. Some of them have the pathogenicity functions and antigenic properties. In course of bacterial dissociation some receptors disappear and others become available for bacteriophages. It is concluded, with a number of examples supporting the conclusion, that bacteriophages may be used in elucidation of cellular wall characteristics and architectonics as well as for the direct selection of mutant clones. The conclusion is also valid for bacteriocins, although, their chemical nature and location of receptors are not studied enough.