In agar plate medium having bacteriophages and bacteria, there are clear transparent areas around the growth of bacteria. These areas are called

Options

A. holes
B. transparencies
C. plaques
D. hot spots

Explanation

To answer the question, we need to analyze the scenario presented in the agar plate medium containing both bacteriophages and bacteria.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Agar Plate**:
- An agar plate is a culture medium used to grow bacteria and other microorganisms. It provides a solid surface for the growth of these organisms.

2. **Identifying the Components**:
- In this scenario, we have two main components: bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and bacteria themselves.

3. **Action of Bacteriophages**:
- Bacteriophages infect bacteria, leading to the replication of the phage within the bacterial cells. This process often results in the lysis (breaking down) of the bacterial cells.

4. **Observation of Clear Areas**:
- As the bacteriophages infect and destroy the bacteria, clear transparent areas appear around the bacterial colonies. These areas indicate where the bacteria have been lysed by the bacteriophages.

5. **Terminology**:
- The clear areas formed due to the lysis of bacteria by bacteriophages are specifically referred to as "plaques."

6. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the above reasoning, the correct term for the clear transparent areas around the growth of bacteria in the agar plate is "plaques."

### Final Answer:
The clear transparent areas around the growth of bacteria in the agar plate medium are called **plaques**.

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