Question

Contrary to viruses, bacteria:

1) contain genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA.
2) can be infected by bacteriophages.
3) have only 3 or 4 genes.
4) are microscopic.

Answer 1

Bacteria can be distinguished from viruses as they can be infected by bacteriophages; they contain DNA as genetic material, possess more than a few genes, and are microscopic. The correct option 2 that contrasts bacteria with viruses is that bacteria can be infected by bacteriophages.

Step-by-step explanation:

Contrary to viruses, bacteria do indeed have their own characteristics that set them apart. To answer the question directly, let's look at each statement:

1. Bacteria contain genetic material in the form of DNA. Unlike viruses, bacteria have both DNA and RNA, with DNA serving as their genetic material and RNA being used for protein synthesis.
2. Bacteria can be infected by bacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically infect bacteria.
3. Bacteria have considerably more than 3 or 4 genes. Bacterial genomes can contain thousands of genes.
4. Bacteria are microscopic, but they are typically larger than viruses and can sometimes be observed with powerful light microscopes, unlike most viruses which require an electron microscope to be seen.

In conclusion, the correct option is statement (2): Bacteria can be infected by bacteriophages. This fact sets them apart from viruses in a significant way, as bacteriophages are a type of virus that specifically targets bacteria. Bacteria do contain genetic material in the form of DNA, possess more than just a few genes, and are microscopic, but these attributes do not serve to distinguish them from viruses as effectively as their susceptibility to infection by bacteriophages.