Why viruses smaller than bacteria?

Question

Answer

Viruses are even smaller than bacteria and require living hosts — such as people, plants or animals — to multiply. Otherwise, they can't survive. When a virus enters your body, it invades some of your cells and takes over the cell machinery, redirecting it to produce the virus.

Answer

Viruses are just genetic material
where as bacteria are cells

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Due it's live in host

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Becoz they are simply genetic material (DNA or RNA) packaged inside of a protein coating. They need to use another cell's structures to reproduce.

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Viruses are tinier than bacteria. In fact, the largest virus is smaller than the smallest bacterium. All viruses have is a protein coat and a core of genetic material, either RNA or DNA. Unlike bacteria, viruses can't survive without a host. They can only reproduce by attaching themselves to cells. In most cases, they reprogram the cells to make new viruses until the cells burst and die. In other cases, they turn normal cells into malignant or cancerous cells Also unlike bacteria, most viruses do cause disease, and they're quite specific about the cells they attack. For example, certain viruses attack cells in the liver, respiratory system, or blood. In some cases, viruses target bacteria.

Answer

Why are viruses smaller than bacteria?

Introduction:
Viruses and bacteria are both microscopic entities that can cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants. However, viruses are much smaller in size compared to bacteria. Understanding the reasons behind this size difference requires exploring the characteristics and structures of both viruses and bacteria.

Key Points:
1. Structure of viruses:
- Viruses are composed of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid.
- Some viruses may also have an outer envelope derived from the host cell membrane.
- Due to their simple structure, viruses are considered non-cellular entities.

2. Structure of bacteria:
- Bacteria are single-celled organisms with complex structures.
- They have a cell wall made up of peptidoglycan, which provides structural support and protection.
- Bacteria also have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and various organelles like ribosomes, DNA, and plasmids.

3. Size comparison:
- Bacteria are typically larger than viruses and can range from 0.2 to 10 micrometers in size.
- On the other hand, viruses are much smaller and vary in size from 20 to 400 nanometers.
- The size of viruses is often measured in nanometers (one billionth of a meter) due to their submicroscopic nature.

4. Limited genetic material:
- Viruses have a limited amount of genetic material compared to bacteria.
- This limited genetic material allows viruses to be smaller in size.
- Viruses are dependent on host cells to replicate, as they lack the cellular machinery required for protein synthesis. They hijack the host cell's machinery to produce more viral particles.

5. Life cycle and replication:
- Bacteria are capable of independent replication and growth.
- They can synthesize their own proteins and reproduce through binary fission.
- Viruses, on the other hand, rely on host cells to replicate and reproduce.
- They attach to specific receptors on the host cell surface, inject their genetic material, and take over the host cell's machinery to produce viral components.

6. Adaptation to different environments:
- The smaller size of viruses allows them to adapt to various environments, including within living organisms and inanimate objects.
- Their small size enables them to pass through small pores and barriers that may hinder larger bacteria.

Conclusion:
Viruses are smaller than bacteria due to their simpler structure, limited genetic material, and dependence on host cells for replication. This size difference allows viruses to adapt to different environments and play a significant role in the spread of infectious diseases.

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