Here’s a clear and simple comparison of bacteria vs virus:
Bacteria-e coli
covid 19- virus
🦠 BACTERIA vs 🧬 VIRUS – Key Differences
| Feature | Bacteria | Virus |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Larger (1000 nm typical) | Much smaller (20–300 nm) |
| Structure | Living cells with wall, membrane, cytoplasm | Tiny particles – no full cell structure |
| Living or Not? | Living organism | Not truly living – only active inside a host |
| Reproduction | Multiply on their own (binary fission) | Need a host cell to replicate |
| Seen under? | Light microscope | Electron microscope only |
| Can be treated with? | Antibiotics | Antivirals or vaccines, not antibiotics |
| Useful or harmful? | Some are beneficial (e.g., gut bacteria) | Mostly harmful, cause diseases |
| Examples | E. coli, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus | Flu virus, HIV, COVID-19, Rabies |
| Cell Type | Prokaryotic (simple cell, no nucleus) | Not a cell – just DNA/RNA + protein coat |
| Diseases Caused | Tuberculosis, Cholera, UTI, Strep throat | Flu, Cold, COVID-19, Measles, AIDS |
🧪 Quick Analogy:
-
Bacteria = like a tiny living bug (can live, grow, multiply on their own).
-
Virus = like a USB drive with harmful code – needs a computer (your cell) to work.