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Virus vs Bacteria

Virus vs Bacteria: There are many differences between Virus and Bacteria. A list of differences between Virus and Bacteria are given below:

No.Comparison Index VirusBacteria
1)Definition (-source:Wikipedia):A virus is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of other organisms. A bacteria is a part of a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. It is a few micrometers long in length and have a number of shapes such as sphere, rod, spiral etc.
2)Living attributes:There are many opinion difference about whether viruses have life attribute or they are just an organic structures that interact with living organisms.
That's why viruses are known as a link between living and non-living things.		A bacteria is a living organism.
3)Ribosomes:It is absent in viruses.It is present in bacteria.
4)Cell wall:No cell wall is present in viruses. Instead of this a protein surrounding is present.Generally, a bacteria has a rigid cell wall and a thin rubbery cell membrane around the cytoplasm, inside the cell.
5)Number of cells:There are no cells present in viruses because they are non-living.Bacteria are unicellular. They have only one cell.
6)Internal structure:DNA or RNA are enclosed inside a coat of protein.DNA and RNA are free to float in cytoplasm. The bacteria has also the cell wall and cell membrane.
7)Treatment:Some vaccines are invented to prevent the spread of viruses. These antiviral medications help to slow reproduction but can't stop it completely. Bacterial infections can be cured by antibiotics.
8)Enzymes:Present in some viruses.Present
9)Infection:SystemicLocalized
10)Benefits:Viruses are not beneficial for human bodies as well as for plants and microorganisms. But a particular virus may be able to destroy brain tumors. They can be also useful in genetic engineering.Some bacteria are beneficial and necessary also for well digestive system. some bacteria are harmful and may be the reason of many diseases.
11)Size:smaller (20-400nm)Larger (1000nm)
12)Reproduction:Viruses have to invade a host cell and take over the cell and make copies of viral DNA/RNA. After the realese of new viruses, the host cell is destroyed.Bacteria are produced by fission. It is a form of asexual reproduction.

Virus vs Bacteria

Virus: A virus is a small infectious agent that can live in any type of environment. It replicates only inside the living organism. Viruses are very dangerous for any type of living organism. They can infect all type of life forms from animals to plants. They can also infect microorganisms like bacteria and archaea.

Virus particles are known as virions. They contains two or three parts.

(i) The genetic material: It is made from either DNA or RNA and used to carry genetic information.

(ii) A protein coat: The protein coat protects the genes.

(iii) An envelope of lipids: It is presented in some cases and surround the protein coat when they are outside a cell.

The shape of a virus can be varied from helical to a very complex structure. The size of a virus is smaller than a bacteria. An average size of a virus is about one hundredth of the size of an average bacteria. Most viruses are too small to see directly with an optical microscope.

Diseases caused by virus:

  • Cold
  • Chickenpox
  • German measles
  • Herpes
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Mumps
  • Swine flu etc.

Bacteria: Bacteria are single celled microorganisms. They are prokaryotic cells and can be thrived in different type of environments. They live in both living hosts and in all area of the planet. Some types of bacteria can live in extreme heat or cold environment too. Most of the bacteria make home in people's intestines and help to digest food. They can be either good (beneficial) or bad (harmful) for the health of humans, plants, and other animals that come into contact with them. Generally, the bacteria live in human body don't harm to people, but there are some exceptions.

Generally, a bacteria has a rigid cell wall and a thin rubbery cell membrane around the cytoplasm, inside the cell.

There are a lot of diseases and infections caused by bacteria. Some of them are:

  • TB (Tuberculosis)
  • Whooping Cough
  • Bubonic Plague
  • Strep Throat
  • UTI (Urinary Tract infections) etc.

The infections and diseases caused by bacteria can be treated and cured by antibiotics.

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