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Being able to differentiate between bacteria and viruses is not an easy thing to do especially if you have not handled the two types of micro-organisms before.It is usually perceived to be a very confusing task as it is easy to mistake one for the other.For this reason, researchers have taken the initiative to enlighten us on the difference between bacteria and viruses.Listed below are some of the differences that are used to distinguish between the two micro-organisms.

Viruses are said to require a living host to exist.This happens to be a requirement because viruses survive by multiplying, and a living being or host is a necessity for this process to take place.On the other hand, bacteria do not survive by multiplying and therefore they are able to grow and exist on non-living surfaces.

Another difference between bacteria and viruses is in their size.Viruses are known to be the smallest and the simplest life form found on earth.They are said to be smaller than bacteria by a multiple of about 10 to 100 times hence bringing out a clear distinction between them and bacteria.

Research has it that, bacteria basically contain all necessary things for them to reproduce.This include things like; genetic information which is in the form of DNA or RNA, ribosomes which are necessary for translating the given genetic information into enzymes that are required for its survival and also plasmids which are used to convey the extra genetic information used for various purposes.On the other hand, viruses generally only contain genetic information and have no way of replicating that information.They lack the proper machinery that is needed to make proteins.This reason has led to viruses needing to infiltrate other orgainism’s living cells in order for them to reproduce.

One big difference between bacteria and viruses is in their cell wall structures.Bacteria are said to have cell walls which contain peptidoglycan polymers used to provide the bacteria with structural definition.However, for viruses,the same cannot be said to be true.They just contain a simple protein coat on their outside which means they lack peptidoglcan polymers.

The above physiological feature actually leads us to the next difference between bacteria and viruses.The presence of the peptidoglycan polymers in bacteria means that bacteria are able to be affected by antibiotics and can actually be killed by these medicines because most antibiotics interfere with the production of the peptidolycan polymers used by bacteria for their cell wall formation.For viruses, no harm can be brought by antibiotics because they do not use peptidolycans for cell wall formation.

To be more precise,the difference between bacteria and viruses is in their infection characteristics.Viral infections are usually systematic and involve many different body parts or even one body system at the same time such as having sinus congestion while also having fever.Bacterial infections are however said to differ from their viral counterparts as they are believed to be more localized in specific body parts at a given time.For example, when you get a cut and the cut gets to be infected with bacteria, pain will be experienced where the cut is situated and not any other part.

So take time to learn more about the differences found between these two micro-organisms to avoid a case of mistaken identity during treatment.

Wangeci Kinyanjui is an expert on research and reporting on Health Matters for years.To get more information on difference between bacteria and viruses visit her site at DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BACTERIA AND VIRUSES

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