Question:
how can we differentiate a bacteria and a virus
Answer:
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Bacteria |
Virus |
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Ribosomes |
Present |
Absent |
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Cell wall |
Peptidoglycan / Lipopolysaccharide |
No cell wall. Protein coat present instead. |
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Introduction (from Wikipedia) |
Bacteria constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a number of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals. |
A virus is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of other organisms. |
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Living attributes |
Living organism |
Opinions differ on whether viruses are a form of life or organic structures that interact with living organisms. |
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Nucleus |
No |
No |
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Number of cells |
Unicellular; one cell |
No cells; not living |
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Structures |
DNA and RNA floating freely in cytoplasm. Has cell wall and cell membrane. |
DNA or RNA enclosed inside a coat of protein. |
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Reproduction |
Fission- a form of asexual reproduction |
Invades a host cell and takes over the cell causing it to make copies of the viral DNA/RNA. Destroys the host cell releasing new viruses. |
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Treatment |
Vaccines prevent the spread and antiviral medications help to slow reproduction but can not stop it completely. |
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Enzymes |
Yes |
Yes, in some |
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Virulence |
Yes |
Yes |
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Infection |
Localized |
Systemic |
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Benefits |
Some bacteria are beneficial (e.g. certain bacteria are required in the gut) |
Viruses are not beneficial. However, a particular virus may be able to destroy brain tumors (see references). Viruses can be useful in genetic engineering. |
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Size |
Larger (1000nm) |
Smaller (20 - 400nm) |
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