- Bacteria are tiny, single-celled living organisms visible only under a microscope.
- There are five main types of bacteria based on shape: spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), spiral (spirilla), comma-shaped (vibrios), and corkscrew-shaped (spirochetes).
- A virus is a tiny organism that can only replicate by infecting and using the machinery of another living cell; it can infect plants, animals, and humans.
- A bacteriophage is a specific type of virus that infects bacteria; it hijacks the bacterial cell to produce new viral particles and ultimately destroys the host cell.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of germs for kids worksheet.
