Questions: Comparing Bacteria, Eukaryotes, and Viruses Move each characteristic into the correct category to compare and contrast bacteria, eukaryotes, and viruses. Cell Wall Typically less than 0.2 µm in size Chromosomes Chloroplasts Mitochondria Nucleic Acids Typically 2-100 µm in size Reproduction by Mitosis Ribosomes Flagella Typically 0.5-3 µm in size True Nucleus

Solution Steps

Bacteria are prokaryotic cells characterized by the presence of a cell wall, ribosomes, flagella (in some species), and a single chromosome composed of nucleic acids. They typically range from 0.5 to 3 $\mu m$ in size. They lack a true nucleus, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. Their reproduction primarily occurs through binary fission.

Eukaryotes are characterized by the presence of a true nucleus, membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts (in plants and algae), multiple chromosomes composed of nucleic acids, ribosomes, and flagella (in some species). Eukaryotic cells also possess a cell wall in plants, fungi, and some protists. They are typically larger than bacteria, ranging from 2-100 $\mu m$ in size. They reproduce via mitosis and meiosis.

Viruses are acellular entities significantly smaller than bacteria and eukaryotes, typically less than 0.2 $\mu m$ in size. They consist of nucleic acids (either DNA or RNA) enclosed within a protein coat. They lack cellular structures like ribosomes, cell walls, a nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and flagella. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and rely on host cells for replication. They do not reproduce by mitosis or binary fission but utilize the host's machinery to replicate their genetic material and assemble new viral particles.

Bacteria: Cell Wall, Typically 0.5-3 $\mu$m in size, Chromosomes, Nucleic Acids, Ribosomes, Flagella Eukaryotes: Cell Wall, Typically 2-100 $\mu$m in size, Chromosomes, Chloroplasts, Mitochondria, Nucleic Acids, Ribosomes, Flagella, True Nucleus, Reproduction by Mitosis Viruses: Typically less than 0.2 $\mu$m in size, Nucleic Acids Bacteria and Eukaryotes: Cell Wall, Chromosomes, Nucleic Acids, Ribosomes, Flagella Bacteria and Eukaryotes and Viruses: Nucleic Acids

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