Viruses and Bacteria: A Comparative Study
This worksheet explores the fundamental differences and similarities between viruses and bacteria, their structures, modes of reproduction, and impact on living organisms, suitable for Grade 10 science students.
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Viruses and Bacteria: A Comparative Study
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.
1. Which of the following statements best describes a key difference between viruses and bacteria?
Bacteria are living cells, while viruses are non-living particles.
Viruses are larger than bacteria and can be seen with a light microscope.
Bacteria require a host cell to reproduce, whereas viruses can reproduce independently.
Both viruses and bacteria are always harmful to humans.
2. Which component is found in all viruses, but not in all bacteria?
Cell wall
Ribosomes
Genetic material (DNA or RNA)
Cytoplasm
3. Viruses are obligate parasites, meaning they must infect a host cell to replicate.
4. Bacteria reproduce asexually through a process called .
5. The protective outer layer of a virus, made of protein, is called a .
6. Observe the diagram of the bacteriophage virus. Label its three main components.
A.
B.
C.
7. Observe the diagram of the bacterial cell. Explain the function of the flagellum.
8. All bacteria are harmful and cause diseases.
True
False
9. Antibiotics are effective against both bacterial and viral infections.
True
False
Match the term on the left with its description on the right.
10. Capsid
a. Genetic material of a virus
11. Plasmid
b. Protein coat of a virus
12. Flagellum
c. Small, circular DNA in bacteria
13. Nucleoid
d. Whip-like appendage for bacterial movement
14. Compare and contrast the general structure and mode of reproduction of viruses and bacteria. Discuss at least two similarities and two differences.