What is the difference between bacteria and viruses?

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. read more

Perhaps the most important distinction between bacteria and viruses is that antibiotic drugs usually kill bacteria, but they aren't effective against viruses. Bacteria. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that thrive in many different types of environments. Some varieties live in extremes of cold or heat. read more

Viruses: Unlike bacteria, viruses can only replicate with the aid of a host cell. Since viruses don't have the organelles necessary for the reproduction of viral components, they must use the host cell's organelles to replicate. read more