Viruses and bacteria are both microorganisms, but they have distinct traits; bacteria are single-celled organisms that can reproduce independently and carry out metabolic processes, while viruses are acellular entities that require a host cell to replicate and lack cellular structures. Bacteria have a complex cellular organization with DNA and ribosomes, whereas viruses consist of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. Due to their inability to reproduce on their own and lack of metabolic activity outside a host, viruses are generally not considered living things.
In 2-3 complete sentences compare and contrast the traits of viruses and bacteria and explain whether a virus is considered a living thing.
3 answers
hey tanks but makes it 3 complete sentences and also make it look like if a 9th grader was writing this
Viruses and bacteria are both tiny microorganisms, but they are very different from each other. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can live and reproduce on their own, while viruses are basically just genetic material wrapped in a protein coat and need a host cell to replicate. Because viruses can’t grow or reproduce by themselves and don’t have the same structures as living things, they aren't considered alive like bacteria are.