What is a difference between bacteria and viruses? (1 point)

Responses

bacteria are all good and viruses are all bad
bacteria are all good and viruses are all bad

bacteria are smaller than viruses
bacteria are smaller than viruses

bacteria can cause infections and viruses cannot
bacteria can cause infections and viruses cannot

bacteria are singe celled organisms and viruses are non-living
bacteria are singe celled organisms and viruses are non-living

The correct answer is: bacteria are single-celled organisms and viruses are non-living.

bacteria are singe celled organisms and viruses are non-living

The correct answer is:

Bacteria are single-celled organisms, while viruses are non-living particles.

To understand the difference between bacteria and viruses, we need to look at their basic characteristics.

Bacteria are considered living organisms because they are single-celled and can reproduce on their own. They have their own metabolic systems and can obtain energy from various sources. Bacteria can be found in a wide range of environments, including soil, water, and even our bodies. While some bacteria can cause infections and diseases, many bacteria are beneficial and play important roles in our ecosystem, such as aiding in digestion and nutrient cycling.

On the other hand, viruses are non-living particles. They are composed of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own and rely on infecting host cells to replicate. They do not have their own metabolic systems and cannot obtain energy independently. Viruses can infect a wide range of organisms, including humans, animals, plants, and even other microorganisms. Although many viruses are pathogenic and can cause diseases, not all viruses are harmful. Some viruses can be harmless to their hosts or even beneficial in certain cases, such as in the case of bacteriophages that infect bacteria and help maintain bacterial population control.

Understanding the differences between bacteria and viruses is crucial in the fields of microbiology, healthcare, and infectious disease management.