Size of viruses vs. bacteria (no, not computer viruses)

[Philippine Mango]

Whats the size of viruses in comparison to bacteria? Could a virus live off of an individual bacteria?

 

[Mark R]

Viruses are typically 20 - 300 nm in length - but come in a variety of shapes e.g. soccer balls, long thin rods, complex spaceship shaped things, etc.

Bacteria are typically 1-2 µm in length - and again, come in a variety of shapes.

Yes. There are viruses that live of bacteria. e.g. the Bacteriophage viruses.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: Mark R
Viruses are typically 20 - 300 nm in length - but come in a variety of shapes e.g. soccer balls, long thin rods, complex spaceship shaped things, etc.

Bacteria are typically 1-2 µm in length - and again, come in a variety of shapes.

Yes. There are viruses that live of bacteria. e.g. the Bacteriophage viruses.

That Wiki entry just scared me off of swimming in the ocean.

/Vomit

 

[DrPizza]

Mark answered you question;
I'm curious as to why you asked??

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: judasmachine

Originally posted by: Mark R
Viruses are typically 20 - 300 nm in length - but come in a variety of shapes e.g. soccer balls, long thin rods, complex spaceship shaped things, etc.

Bacteria are typically 1-2 µm in length - and again, come in a variety of shapes.

Yes. There are viruses that live of bacteria. e.g. the Bacteriophage viruses.

That Wiki entry just scared me off of swimming in the ocean.

/Vomit

dang, sea water has viruses...i don't care and i'll be swimming in the ocean!

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: Juno

Originally posted by: judasmachine

Originally posted by: Mark R
Viruses are typically 20 - 300 nm in length - but come in a variety of shapes e.g. soccer balls, long thin rods, complex spaceship shaped things, etc.

Bacteria are typically 1-2 µm in length - and again, come in a variety of shapes.

Yes. There are viruses that live of bacteria. e.g. the Bacteriophage viruses.

That Wiki entry just scared me off of swimming in the ocean.

/Vomit

dang, sea water has viruses...i don't care and i'll be swimming in the ocean!

Tap water and bottled water has all sorts of things in it like viruses and bacteria.

 

[Cobalt]

Originally posted by: judasmachine

Originally posted by: Mark R
Viruses are typically 20 - 300 nm in length - but come in a variety of shapes e.g. soccer balls, long thin rods, complex spaceship shaped things, etc.

Bacteria are typically 1-2 µm in length - and again, come in a variety of shapes.

Yes. There are viruses that live of bacteria. e.g. the Bacteriophage viruses.

That Wiki entry just scared me off of swimming in the ocean.

/Vomit

There are tons of viruses in the air too. Might want to hold off on breathing for a while.

 

[sao123]

there are viruses everywhere, but unless they have a protein receptor for a particular type of cell in your body... they do nothing to you.