Final answer:
Bacteria and viruses differ in structure, reproduction, genetic material, size, and metabolism. Bacteria are living prokaryotic cells with metabolism and capability for independent reproduction, while viruses, much smaller in size, are obligate intracellular parasites with no metabolic functions, relying on a host cell to reproduce.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bacteria and viruses are two fundamental entities studied in microbiology with differing characteristics. Here are five aspects to consider:
- Cellular Structure: Bacteria are prokaryotic cells with vital cellular components such as cytoplasm, ribosomes, and a plasma membrane but without a nucleus. Viruses lack all these structures as they are not made of cells, hence they do not qualify as living organisms.
- Reproduction: Bacteria reproduce through binary fission, which is an asexual process where one cell divides into two daughter cells. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own and must hijack a host's cellular machinery for replication.
- Genetic Material: The genetic material in bacteria is contained within a single, circular DNA molecule in the nucleoid region. Viruses contain genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA encapsulated by a protein coat called a capsid.
- Size: Typically, bacteria are much larger than viruses. A bacterial cell's dimensions are in the micron range, while viruses are measured in nanometers.
- Metabolism: Bacteria have the metabolic pathways necessary for survival and can carry out a variety of chemical reactions. Viruses lack the capacity for metabolism; they cannot independently conduct metabolic processes like respiration or fermentation.
An advantage that a virus gains by not killing the host cell is prolonged survival and the potential to produce more viral particles over a longer period.
Bacteria and viruses differ vastly in their modes of reproduction and structural characteristics. While bacteria have the attributes of life, such as metabolism and independent reproduction, viruses are considered obligate intracellular parasites because they entirely depend on infecting a host cell to carry out their reproductive cycle.