The main difference between bacteria and viruses is that bacteria are living cells, while viruses are not. Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotic organisms, while viruses are tiny packets of genetic material enclosed in a protein coat. Bacteria can grow in artificial laboratory media, while viruses cannot. Bacteria can cause disease, while viruses can only cause disease in living cells.
What’s the difference between a bacteria and a virus? You might think that’s a strange question to ask, given that both are micro-organisms, meaning that neither can be seen by the naked eye. Both can make us vomit, give us diarrhea, fever and even challenge us with life-threatening diseases, but what differences lie between them?
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Are They Both Bad?
First and foremost, they are both not evil monsters. Viruses are definitely bigger villains than bacteria.
For starters, bacteria form a part of our “normal flora” and trillions of them live inside us without causing any harm. They are beneficial because they can improve digestion and protect us against infections. Bacteria like lactic acid bacteria (LAB), mostly of the species Enterococcus and Lactobacillus are associated with the fermentation of food; these fermented foods impart health benefits to those who eat them.
Viruses do no such thing! They are like those selfish people in our lives who use us when they need and then forget about us later. Viruses cannot grow without a host, because they need a host to multiply and flourish, so they use the host as their platform for multiplication and then destroy the host. Quiet evil, wouldn’t you agree?
Also Read: How Do Viruses Reach Humans From Animals?
Bacterial Infection Vs Viral Infection – How Are They Different?
More proof that bacteria and viruses are different lies in the fact that when you go to a doctor with a sore throat and fever, the doctor sometimes puts you on antibiotics, but other times he/she will let the infection simply run its course. This is because bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. Thus, if you are experiencing a viral attack and are taking antibiotics, you may feel no difference in your condition, but if it’s a bacterial infection, then the antibiotics will attack and kill the bacteria, making you feel better faster.
This aspect of deciding on treatment modality makes it clear that understanding the basic differences between a bacteria and a virus is critical. Let’s start by establishing a brief understanding of both.
Also Read: Can You Have Another Cold When You’re Already Suffering From One?
Bacteria – The Tiny Warriors
Bacteria are unicellular (single-celled), prokaryotic (without a membrane-bound nucleus or organelles) microscopic organisms that divide by binary fission. They typically range in size from 0.5-1.5 μm, but can also be in the 1-3 μm range. Being so tiny, they can be seen using a light or electron microscope. They are both beneficial and harmful to us. They exist everywhere around us – in the air, water, soil, our body… you name it and they’re there!
Also Read: How Large Can A Microbe Be?
Viruses – Tiny Packets Of Genes
Viruses are infectious agents that lack a cellular structure. They do, however, contain viral genetic material – either DNA or RNA, but never both. This genetic material is enclosed in a highly specialized protein coat that protects the genetic material when the virus is outside the host cell, but also helps the virus enter a weak host cell. Since they have no cellular structure, but do contain genes, viruses are nothing but tiny packets of genes moving from host to host.
Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and range from about 0.015 – 0.2 μm. They are so small that they cannot be seen under a light microscope and need an electron microscope to be studied. A better way to imagine the size of a virus is to think of a car as a bacterium; a football sitting next to the car would be a virus! Viruses can only grow inside a host cell by means of replication (replicas of the virus are created within the host cell) and are dependent on the host cells to carry out vital functions. They are therefore called “obligate intracellular parasites”.
Also Read: Are Viruses Different From Viroids?
Bacteria Vs Viruses
| Characteristics | Bacteria | Virus |
| Size | 0.5-1.5 μm typically | 0.015 – 0.2 μm |
| Microscopy | Light or electron microscopy | Only electron microscopy |
| No. of cells | Unicellular | No cells – they are small packets of genes! |
| Cell wall | Present | Absent – protein coat present instead. |
| Organelles | Present | Absent ; |
| Genetic material | DNA or RNA floating in cytoplasm | DNA or RNA enclosed in protein coat |
| Reproduction | Asexual – replicates by binary fission | Replication inside the host cell – “obligate intracellular parasites” |
| Growth in artificial laboratory media | Possible | Not possible – tissue culture needed |
| Infection | Generally localized | Systemic |
| Treatment | Antibiotics | Anti-viral drugs |
| Cellular machinery | Present | Absent |
| Practical significance | Some cause disease; Some improve digestion; Some contribute to our immunity against pathogens. Some perform important roles in recycling elements that contribute to soil fertility, Some spoil food, Some ferment and make food like yogurt. ; | Cause diseases in humans, other animals, plants and even other micro-organisms. |
How well do you understand the article above!
References (click to expand)
- Tamang, J. P., Shin, D.-H., Jung, S.-J., & Chae, S.-W. (2016, April 26). Functional Properties of Microorganisms in Fermented Foods. Frontiers in Microbiology. Frontiers Media SA.
- Genetics - Medical Microbiology - NCBI Bookshelf. The National Center for Biotechnology Information
- Pelczar M. J., Reid R. D.,& Chan E. C. S. (1977). Microbiology. McGraw-Hill
