How do bacteria and viruses interact with each other?

Viruses cannot multiply (reproduce) without a host, and hence there is still debate whether they fit into the 'living organisms' category. Viruses can infect a wide range of living organisms from bacteria (prokaryotes) to plants and animals (eukaryotes). Viruses that infect bacteria are called 'bacteriophages'. read more

It is important to note that a virus is specific for a host; for example, a virus that infects bacteria cannot infect plants and animals and vice-versa. They dock on their host cell using specific receptors on the cell surface and either inject their genetic material through the host cell membrane or get endocytosed into the cell. read more

Researchers have discovered that bacteria communicate with each other using a chemical language called "quorum sensing." As it turns out, every type of bacteria make and secrete small molecules. When a bacterium is alone, these molecules simply float away. read more

Plant Interactions with Other Organisms Ecology is the study of interactions of organisms with one another as well as with their environment. Plants, with their sedentary existence and need to attract pollinators or prevent herbivores from consuming them whole (because they can't run away from them), have evolved a different set of behavior patterns than have animals. read more