What best describes the function of a bacteriophage?

The function of a bacteriophage is best described as the ability to infect bacteria. Bacteriophages, also known simply as phages, are viruses that specifically target bacterial cells. They attach to the surface of bacteria, inject their genetic material, and hijack the bacterial machinery to replicate themselves. This process often leads to the lysis or destruction of the bacterial cell, effectively killing it.

This characteristic of bacteriophages is significant in various fields, including genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology, as they can be used as tools for genetic engineering, and they are also being explored as potential alternatives to antibiotics in treating bacterial infections.

The other options do not accurately describe the role of bacteriophages. For example, enhancing bacterial growth, decomposing organic matter, or assisting in photosynthesis are functions associated with various microorganisms or organisms but do not align with the primary action or purpose of a bacteriophage, which is specifically to infect and ultimately destroy bacteria.