Difference between bacteria and viruses
Introduction
Worldwide presence In biology, two very common terms used are "bacteria" and "viruses." Both can cause diseases in humans, animals and plants, but what is the difference between them?
Bacteria
bacteria are unicellular organisms They have a varied shape, they can be spherical (cocci), elongated (bacilli) or spiral-shaped (spirochetes). They are living beings and can be found anywhere on the planet, such as on land, water, air and in the human body. Some bacteria can be beneficial, such as those found in our digestive system, while others can cause diseases such as salmonella or tuberculosis.
Characteristics of bacteria
- They are single-celled living beings
- They have a varied shape
- They can be beneficial or harmful
- They can be found anywhere on the planet
- Can be treated with antibiotics
Virus
Viruses are organisms much smaller than bacteria and cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are not living beings, since they cannot reproduce on their own, they need a host cell to do so. Viruses infect the host's cells, replicating in them and causing diseases such as the flu or SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19).
Characteristics of viruses
- They are not living beings
- They depend on a host cell to reproduce
- They are much smaller than bacteria
- They can cause diseases
- They cannot be treated with antibiotics
Differences
Although bacteria and viruses can cause disease, there are some important differences between them. Bacteria are single-celled living beings with a varied shape, while viruses are not living beings and need a host cell to reproduce. Additionally, bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, while viruses cannot.
Comparison chart
| Bacteria | Virus | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Unicellular, variously shaped | Much smaller than bacteria |
| Living beings | Yes | No |
| Reproduction | By cell division | Depends on a host cell |
| Transmission | With antibiotics | They cannot be treated with antibiotics |
| Management | They can cause diseases such as salmonella or tuberculosis | They can cause diseases such as the flu or Covid-19 |
Conclusion
In summary, the main difference between bacteria and viruses is that bacteria are single-celled living things and viruses are not. Additionally, bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, while viruses cannot. It is important to know the difference between them to understand how they work and how they can affect our health.
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