Viruses and bacteria

Viruses:

Viruses are too small to be seen by the naked eye. They can't multiply on their own, so they have to invade a 'host' cell and take over its machinery in order to be able to make more virus particles.

Viruses consist of genetic materials (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protective coat of protein. They are capable of latching onto cells and getting inside them.

The cells of the mucous membranes, such as those lining the respiratory passages that we breathe through, are particularly open to virus attacks because they are not covered by protective skin.

Bacteria:

Bacteria are organisms made up of just one cell. They are capable of multiplying by themselves, as they have the power to divide. Their shapes vary, and doctors use these characteristics to separate them into groups.

Bacteria exist everywhere, inside and on our bodies. Most of them are completely harmless and some of them are very useful.

But some bacteria can cause diseases, either because they end up in the wrong place in the body or simply because they are 'designed' to invade us.

Virus - Bacteria Differences

Ø Viruses are the smallest and simplest life form known. They are 10 to 100 times smaller than bacteria.

Ø The biggest difference between viruses and bacteria is that viruses must have a living host - like a plant or animal - to multiply, while most bacteria can grow on non-living surfaces.

Ø Bacteria are intercellular organisms whereas viruses are intracellular organisms . They change the host cell's genetic material from its normal function to producing the virus itself.

Ø There are some useful bacteria but all viruses are harmful.

Ø Antibiotics can kill bacteria but not viruses.

viruses and bacteria spread process

Ø A person with a cold can spread the infection by coughing and/or sneezing.

Ø Bacteria or viruses can be passed on by touching or shaking hands with another person.

Ø Touching food with dirty hands will also allow viruses or bacteria from the intestine to spread.

Ø Body fluids, such as blood, saliva and semen, can contain the infecting organisms and transmission of such fluids, for example by injection or sexual contact, is important, particularly for viral infections like hepatitis or AIDS.

Avoid infection

Ø Wash your hands thoroughly

Ø Shaking hands with someone who has a cold is risky, so avoid rubbing your eyes or nose afterwards.

Ø Food should be cooked or cooled down as quickly as possible.

Ø Vegetables and meat must be stored separately and prepared on separate chopping boards.

Ø Meat should preferably be served well-done.

Ø Remember that food with these invisible organisms does not necessarily smell bad.

Ø Some organisms are killed as the food is cooked, but they can still leave toxic substances that may cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

Ø The use of condoms during sexual intercourse reduces the likelihood of spreading sexually transmitted diseases.

Differences in reproduction

Bacteria carry all the "machinery" needed for their growth and multiplication. Bacteria usually reproduce asexually. In case of sexual reproduction, certain plasmids genetic material can be passed between bacteria. On the other hand, viruses carry mainly information - for example, DNA or RNA, packaged in a protein and/or membranous coat. Viruses harness the host cell's machinery to reproduce. Their legs attach onto the surface of the cell and then the genetic material contained inside the head of the virus is injected into the cell. This genetic material can either use the cell's machinery to produce its own proteins and/or virus bits, or it can be integrated into the cell's DNA/RNA and then translated later. When enough "baby" viruses are produced the cell bursts, releasing the new viral particles.

Living vs. Non-living

Bacteria are living organisms but opinions vary on whether viruses are. A virus is an organic structure that interacts with living organisms. It does show characteristics of life such has having genes, evolving by natural selection and reproducing by creating multiple copies of themselves through self-assembly. But viruses don't have a cellular structure or their own metabolism; they need a host cell to reproduce. It should be noted that bacterial species such as rickettsia and chlamydia are considered living organisms despite the same limitation of not being able to reproduce without a host cell.

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