Compare and contrast the traits of viruses and bacteria. Is a virus considered a living thing? Explain your answer in 3–5 sentences.(4 points)
Viruses and bacteria are both microscopic organisms, but they have significant differences in their characteristics. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can be found in a variety of environments, whereas viruses are much smaller and can only replicate inside living cells. Bacteria have their own cellular machinery and can carry out metabolic processes like reproduction and growth, while viruses are essentially packets of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat.
Whether viruses are considered living things is a matter of debate among scientists. Although they can reproduce and evolve, they lack many essential characteristics of life, such as the ability to carry out metabolic processes independently. They can only replicate inside a host cell and do not display characteristics like growth or homeostasis. Therefore, viruses are generally not considered living organisms, but rather complex biological structures.