Viruses and bacteria are both microorganisms, but there are significant differences between them. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can live independently and have a cellular structure with a cell wall and internal organelles. They are capable of replication and can survive outside a host organism. Viruses, on the other hand, are not considered living things as they lack cellular structure and cannot reproduce or carry out metabolic processes on their own. They require a host cell to replicate and are considered as genetic material enclosed in a protein coat.
