human
What is the difference between a virus and a bacterium?
assistant
The main difference between viruses and bacteria is that viruses are much smaller than bacteria, typically around 20-300 nanometers in diameter. Bacteria are larger, typically 1-10 micrometers in diameter. Viruses also have a much simpler structure than bacteria, consisting of only a few proteins and nucleic acids. Bacteria contain many more complex structures such as cell walls, flagella, and pili.