Bacteria Vs. Viruses!

Exam II

Bacteria are single cell microorganisms. They are neither animal nor plant, the main reason they do not fall into either category because they have no nucleus. However bacteria do have a cell wall, plasma membrane, capsule, basal body, DNA, ribosomes, cytoplasm, flagellum, and pili. The basal body anchors the flagellum allwoing it to rotate. The pili are spikes the allow the bacteria to stick to others. They come in three main shapes; spiral(spirilla), rod(vibrio), and spherical (cocci). Bacteria is anywhere, and everywhere. Some bacteria are good while others are bad, causing disease. When the disease causing bacteria makes it past the immune system of living organisms they reproduce. Thus becoming a bigger threat. How do we deal with such a dilemma? Antibiotics is the key. Some are created for a specific type of bacteria, with the primary goal of killing it. They can also be created to block the bacteria spreading the infection, and to convert glucose into energy. With its construction only for the sake of the specific bacteria we do not have to worry about it attacking other cells as well. Now why doesnt antibiotics work on viruses? Viruses are not a living thing, like our fellow bacteria, so they can not be eliminated. They simply carry DNA surrounded by a capsule, but the DNA is what is so harmful. With viruses, they inject DNA into cells, corrupting the orignal cell to replicate more of the DNA carried by the virus. Eventually there will be more cells with the DNA of the virus. Simply the hosts immune system would have to deal with the virus. But it doesnt mean we can not help ourselves with suppling the right nutrients. There are some antiviral substances, but a few only, not enough for how much viruses out there. Not to mention that these vaccines only slow down the reproduction and prevent further spreading, it does not stop it one hundred percent. Now both bacteria and viruses can be transferred the same way. Coughing, sneezing, any contact with someone whom is ill. That is why the best way to stay healthly is to keep sanitary by washing your hands, etc. Futhermore, not all viruses are bad, some can be used in a beneficial way, for example helping to destroy brain tumors, and to fight cancers. Viruses are not only smaller than bacteria, but are not visible by microscope.