Question

A new disease has suddenly appeared, and scientists are trying to determine whether the disease agent is a virus or a bacterium. They collect the following information:
1. The disease can be transmitted through the air.
2. The disease agent is too small to be seen under a compound microscope.
3. There are no known antibiotics that are effective against the disease.
4. The genetic material of the disease agent is DNA.
5. The disease agent cannot be cultured using any known culture medium.
Is the disease agent most likely a bacterium or a virus? Explain your answer

Answer 1

"Virus. Because viruses are really tiny and they work by infiltrating the DNA of a cell to take it over to produce more viruses. They also can't be treated with antibiotics." (Yahoo Answers)

Answer 2

The disease agent is most likely a virus. Like bacteria, many viruses can be transmitter through the air. Almost all viruses are to small to be seen under a compound microscope, although bacteria are also too small to be seen under a compound microscope.Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, while there are antibiotics that are effective against bacteria. The genetic material of viruses may be DNA or RNA, and the genetic material of bacteria is always DNA. The genetic material of viruses may be DNA or RNA, and the genetic material of bacteria is always DNA.Viruses cannot be cultured on artificial media, while most bacteria can be.