From: Zardoz ® 14/11/2001 17:22:53
Subject: re: MEDICAL FAQ NOTES post id: 496179
What's the difference between a virus and bacteria?.

From: Lib (Avatar)
Viruses need to inject their DNA into living cells in order to multiply. They cannot reproduce their numbers alone - hence (I think) there is a debate as to whether they can be classified as "living" organisms.

From: J.F.
Bacteria carry on their own energy- production metabolism, maintain their own intracytoplasmic chemistry (eg electrical potential difference across their membranes), replicate their own DNA,

...synthesise their own RNA using their own enzymes made on their own ribosomes in their own cytoplasm, using amino acids that they (usually) synthesised themselves .... etc.

What is a germ?
A germ is any microorganism (meaning you need a microscope to see it). Every microorganism you mentioned (bacteria, virus, and fungus) can qualify as being a germ. The major difference between these three classes of organisms is their composition.

A virus typically consists of a protein coat surrounding some genetic material, and that is it. A virus cannot reproduce on its own; it requires a host in which it reproduces.

A bacteria is a very simple type of cell (called a prokaryote) that can reproduce on its own.

A fungus is a more complicated type of cell (called a eukaryote) that resembles cells in our bodies.

Antibiotics work against bacteria, but have no effect on viruses. There are specific drugs called anti-fungals that can work against fungi.
Glenn Bauer, Faculty Biology, Saint Michael's College
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/aug97/868888343.Mi.r.html
What's the difference between a virus and bacteria?



From: Zardoz ®
Subject: Medical

The differences between viruses and bacteria are numerous. Viruses are the smallest and simplest life form known. They are 10 to 100 times smaller than bacteria. 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.

Also, unlike bacteria, which attack the body like soldiers mounting a pitched battle, viruses are guerilla fighters. They don't attack so much as infiltrate. They literally invade human cells and turn the cell's genetic material from its normal function to producing the virus itself.

In addition, bacteria carry all the machinery needed for their growth and multiplication, while 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. In a sense, viruses are not truly "living," but are essentially information (DNA or RNA) that float around until they encounter a suitable living host.


http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/topfd.html