Question

how are bacteria and viruses different?
a bacteria are smaller than viruses
b bacteria are always harmful, while viruses are not
c bacteria are living organisms, and viruses are not
d viruses can reproduce outside of a host, but bacteria cannot

Explanation:

• Option A: Viruses are generally smaller than bacteria. So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: Bacteria are not always harmful (e.g., probiotic bacteria in the gut). Viruses are also mostly harmful (e.g., causing diseases like COVID - 19). So this option is incorrect.
• Option C: Bacteria are single - celled living organisms. Viruses are acellular (not made of cells) and are considered non - living outside a host cell as they cannot carry out metabolic processes on their own. This option is correct.
• Option D: Viruses need a host cell to reproduce (they hijack host cell machinery). Bacteria can reproduce on their own (by binary fission, for example). So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Bacteria are living organisms, and viruses are not