Bacteria Basics
What are Bacteria
Tiny, Single celled organisms found everywhere
What conditions do bacteria need to grow?
Warm, moist environments
Why are viruses not considered living organisms
They cannot reproduce on their own
Name a common disease caused by a virus
Common Cold, Flu, Chicken Pox, Covid
Which is larger Bacteria or Viruses
Bacteria are much larger
Name the Three main shapes of Bacteria
Spheres (cocci) Rods (bacilli) Spirals (spirilla)
What is an endospore and why is it important
a tough protective structure that helps bacteria survive harsh conditions
What are three main parts of a virus
Hint:2 always 1 sometimes
Genetic material (DNA or RNA), Protein Coat (capsid head), sometimes Lipid envelope
How do vaccines protect against viruses
They train the immune system to recognize and fight infection before it occurs
Can bacteria live independently or do they need a host
Bacteria can live independently viruses need a host
What is the function of the Flagellum
Tail like structure that helps the bacteria move
How does bacterial conjugation help bacteria survive
Bacteria share genetic material through a tube like bridge increasing genetic diversity
How do Viruses reproduce
They attach to a host cell inject genetic material and hijack the cell to produce more viruses
Why don't antibiotics work on viruses
Antibiotics kills bacteria
Give one example if a harmful bacterial infection
Strep, food poisoning, tuberculosis
What structure do bacteria lack that human cells have
A nucleus
Name one way bacteria move besides using flagella
some glide across the surface while others remain stationary
Why do viruses need a host cell
They lack the ability to reproduce and most use a host cell to do so
Name one way to prevent the spread of viral infections
handwashing, wearing masks, vaccinations, avoid contact with the sick
Give an example of a viral infection
flu, measles, HIV, Rabies
Explain the process of Binary Fission
A form of reproduction where one bacterium splits into two identical cells
Give an example of how bacteria are helpful to humans
Digesting food, producing antibiotics, making yogurt an cheese, nitrogen fixation
Name one way viruses evolve over time
Viruses mutate and create new variants to survive and evade immune responses
What is the purpose of antiviral medications
they slow viral replication and help reduce symptoms
Explain one key difference in how bacteria and viruses reproduce
Bacteria reproduce through Binary fission while viruses hijack a host cell to replicate