Name: ______________________________________ Date: ______________________ Period: ____________
Microorganism WebQuest: What’s the Difference Between Viruses and Bacteria?
Go to Website #1: http://archives.microbeworld.org/microbes/virus_bacterium.aspx
As you read through the webpage, complete the table below comparing and contrasting bacteria
and viruses:
Characteristic
Larger or smaller?
More or less complex?
Cell membrane and/or cell wall?
If not, what kind of coating do they
have?
DNA?
Reproduce independently (on their
own)?
Cause disease?
Bacteria
Virus
Sketch a diagram of a bacterium
and a virus in the respective
columns to the right 
•
What is a bacteriophage?
Go to Website #2: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/index.html
Look at the “Relative Sizes and Detection Devices” image at the top of the page. Answer the following
questions:
•
Can bacteria or viruses be seen with the naked eye?
•
Can bacteria be viewed with a light microscope?
•
Which kind of microscope is needed to view a virus?
Go to Website #3: http://archives.microbeworld.org/microbes/bacteria/
•
What kinds of useful jobs do bacteria perform?
Classification:
• Under which category of life are bacteria classified?
o
•
Do bacteria contain nuclei?
Which two life forms are classified as prokaryotes?
How Long They’ve Been Around:
• How did ancient bacteria shape our planet?
•
Why are cyanobacteria important?
On the left toolbar, under the heading “Bacteria”, click on “What They Look Like”
•
What are the three main bacterial shapes? Provide examples for each shape (look under the
heading “Shape” for examples)
1. _______________________________________ example:
2. _______________________________________ example:
3. _______________________________________ example:
•
Are bacteria unicellular or multicellular?
•
What is the size of the largest bacterium? Size of the smallest bacterium? (look under
“Size”)
2
On the left toolbar, click on “Where They’re Found”
•
Where are some common places bacteria are found?
•
What is the name of the type of bacteria that can live in extreme environments?
•
How many bacteria are found on one square centimeter of your skin?
Go to Website #4: http://archives.microbeworld.org/microbes/virus/
What They Are:
• What are the three main parts that comprise a virus?
o
__________________________________
o
__________________________________
o
__________________________________
•
What are viruses unable to do that all other living things can do?
•
How have viruses shaped life on our planet?
•
What types of human diseases do viruses cause?
Single-Minded Mission:
• For what purpose do viruses exist?
3
On the left toolbar, under the heading “Viruses”, click on “What They Look Like”
•
How much smaller are viruses than bacteria?
•
Some viruses are covered by an envelope and may also be studded with spikes.
o
What is the envelope made of?
o
What is the purpose of spikes?
On the left toolbar, click on “Where They’re Found”
•
Where are viruses found?
•
Do viruses infect every organism they come into contact with? Why or why not?
•
Do all viruses cause disease and kill the host?
4