Question: what is the difference between viruses and bacteria?

Alex Hinga answered on 23 Jan 2017:

Hi @abkb256 there are many differences between viruses and bacteria (singular – bacterium). I will only mention a few of these differences. The first relates to size; bacteria are much bigger than viruses. Secondly, viruses do not move or grow and have to rely on a host such as an animal or plant to survive. On the other hand, bacteria have structures that enable them to move and replicate in different types of environments. An example of a bacteria is Yersinia pestis which causes the bubonic plague and which was responsible for the death of many people throughout history. An example of a virus is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).