Monday, June 21, 2010

What are some similarities and differences between bacteria and viruses?

Compare and contrast bacteria and viruses. Provide at least two similarities and two differences.



What are some similarities and differences between bacteria and viruses?windows



Similarities:



both are microscopic



both can cause sickness in other organisms



Differences:



Viruses are considered both livng AND nonliving, bacteria are simply alive



Viruses reproduce by putting their DNA into the cells of a host, bacteria reproduce by literally splitting in half (binary fission) and making two new bacteria.



viruses



What are some similarities and differences between bacteria and viruses?antivirus download



Both are microscopic. Viruses only reproduce within a living cell and are smaller than bacteria. Bacteria are single-celled and can reproduce independently. Most bacteria are helpful, most viruses are harmful.
Bacteria- show all characteristics of life and can be treated with antibiotics



Viruses- do not show all characteristics of life and can be treated with vaccines



Both- respond to change (stimulus), and contain hereditary material
Both are microscopic organisms that can cause a disease, that's why there are called pathogens.



Bacteria is present everywhere, including are body and not all bacteria cause a disease.These are our natural flora inside our body. Unless they are present in situations that can lead them to become opportunistic and can make them a pathogen such as the E. Coli bacteria. Diseases caused by bacteria needs antibitiocs.



Viruses on the other hand need a host cell in order to live. Without a host cell, they can't replicate. Some viruses are self-limiting that requires no medications such as in the case of common colds.



The genetic component of bacteria and viruses also differs. The bacteria can have both DNA and RNA but a virus has only RNA...



Bacteria come in different sizes and shape. So as viruses but they are much smaller than bacteria.

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