Name one feature of a virus that distinguishes it from bacteria.

Viruses are fundamentally different from bacteria in that they do not possess a cellular structure. Bacteria are classified as prokaryotic cells, meaning they have a defined cellular organization with membranes, cytoplasm, and genetic material organized into a single piece of DNA. In contrast, viruses are acellular entities that lack the machinery necessary for cellular functions. They are composed of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat, and, in some cases, an additional lipid envelope.

This lack of a cellular structure is significant because it impacts how viruses replicate and interact with host cells. Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot reproduce independently; they require a host cell to replicate their genetic material and produce new virus particles. This dependence on host cells to replicate and the absence of a cellular organization are key features that distinguish viruses from bacteria.