EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Genetic information in bacteria and many viruses is encoded in DNA, but some viruses use RNA. Replication of the genome is essential for inheritance of genetically determined traits.

Detailed explanation-2: -Bacterial and viral infections have many things in common. Both types of infections are caused by microbes (bacteria and viruses) and are spread by things such as coughing and sneezing, contact with infected people, surfaces, food, water, pets, livestock, or insects such as fleas and ticks.

Detailed explanation-3: -Genetic material-Both bacteria and viruses have genetic material (nucleic acid). In bacterial cells, the genetic material is contained in a chromosome which is a strand of DNA. While they do not have a nucleus, the genetic material of these organisms is contained in a region generally known as the nucleoid.

Detailed explanation-4: -Viruses contain either RNA or DNA as their genetic material. DNA in most organisms is a double-stranded structure, based on Watson and Crick pairing; however, in viruses, DNA and RNA can be either single-stranded or double-stranded.

Detailed explanation-5: -A virus is not a living organism and can only grow and reproduce in the cells of a host. Bacteria, by contrast, are single-celled organisms that produce their own energy and can reproduce on their own. While both can cause disease, bacteria also serve other vital and healthful roles in nature.