Final answer:
The correct statements indicating effective education on viruses and bacteria are the recognition that viruses must enter host cells to replicate, that immunizations are available for some viruses, and that some viruses can be associated with cancers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statements made by the attendees indicating that the education on viruses and bacteria has been effective are:
- "The virus enters the host cell's metabolism and replicates itself" – This correctly reflects the parasitic nature of viruses as they require a host cell to replicate.
- "There are some Immunizations that are available for select viruses." – Demonstrates understanding that vaccines can prevent certain viral infections.
- "There are some viruses that may be associated with cancers." – Indicates awareness of oncogenic viruses that can contribute to the development of cancer.
The attendee who mentioned that "I can take an antibiotic to eradicate a viral infection" is incorrect as antibiotics target bacteria, not viruses. Likewise, the statement that "Viruses are not as harmful as bacteria." is a misconception since viruses can be very harmful and sometimes more so than bacteria.
Viruses differ from bacteria in that they lack the cellular structure associated with bacterial organisms and cannot replicate without a host. They do share some characteristics with living organisms, such as genetic material, but lack others like metabolism, which keeps them on the border between living and non-living entities. Vaccinations and exposure to viruses prompt an immune response, providing immunity against certain viruses, but not all viral diseases have vaccines available. Viral infections are not treatable with antibiotics, as antibiotics specifically target bacteria.