Which statement best contrasts viruses and bacteria?

Which statement best contrasts viruses and bacteria?

• A. Viruses require a host to reproduce; bacteria can reproduce on their own
• B. Viruses are larger than bacteria
• C. Bacteria can only survive in oxygen-free environments
• D. Antibiotics kill viruses

Answer: (B)

Reproduction is the main contrast. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own; they must invade a host cell and hijack the cell’s machinery to make new virus particles. Bacteria are living, single-celled organisms that can reproduce independently, usually by binary fission. This fundamental difference explains why drugs that target bacteria (antibiotics) don’t kill viruses, while antivirals aim to interfere with viral replication inside host cells. The idea that viruses are larger than bacteria isn’t accurate—viruses are typically much smaller than bacteria, so size isn’t the best way to distinguish them.

Reproduction is the main contrast. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own; they must invade a host cell and hijack the cell’s machinery to make new virus particles. Bacteria are living, single-celled organisms that can reproduce independently, usually by binary fission. This fundamental difference explains why drugs that target bacteria (antibiotics) don’t kill viruses, while antivirals aim to interfere with viral replication inside host cells. The idea that viruses are larger than bacteria isn’t accurate—viruses are typically much smaller than bacteria, so size isn’t the best way to distinguish them.