A bacteriophage replicates only in a_ cell

Explanation

A bacteriophage replicates only in a bacterial cell. This is because bacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, and like all viruses, they lack the cellular machinery required for independent reproduction. When a bacteriophage attaches to a susceptible bacterial cell, it injects its genetic material into the host. The bacterial cell's machinery is then hijacked to synthesize viral proteins and replicate the viral genome, leading to the assembly of new phage particles. Eventually, the bacterial cell may burst (lyse) to release the newly formed phages, which can then infect other bacteria. Thus, bacteriophages are obligate intracellular parasites that can only multiply inside bacterial cells.