Question

why do most viruses that attack bacteria have tails?

Answer 1

I just pulled out a few quotes from here: http://textbookofbacteriology.net/themicrobialworld/Phage.html

"bacteriophages have tails which are used for adsorption and penetration of their host cell"

"The tail and related structures of bacteriophages are generally involved in attachment of the phage and securing the entry of the viral nucleic acid into the host cell."

"The phage particle undergoes a chance collision at a chemically complementary site on the bacterial surface, then adheres to that site by means of its tail fibers."

I hope it helps :)

Answer 2

It helps penetrate the host cell :)

Answer 3

thank you!