What do bacteria and viruses do once inside the body?

Prepare thoroughly for the Infection and Response Test. Use detailed flashcards, targeted questions, and expert explanations. This interactive quiz is perfect to help you succeed and gain confidence in your ability.

Multiple Choice

What do bacteria and viruses do once inside the body?

Explanation:
Inside the body, bacteria and viruses mainly reproduce to establish an infection. Bacteria are living cells that multiply by dividing into two and using the body's nutrients to grow more bacteria. Viruses, though, can’t replicate on their own; they hijack the machinery of our cells to make many copies of the virus. This replication is what allows an infection to take hold and spread, triggering symptoms as the immune system fights back. They don’t simply die right away, they don’t just exit the body on their own, and they don’t transform into parasites.

Inside the body, bacteria and viruses mainly reproduce to establish an infection. Bacteria are living cells that multiply by dividing into two and using the body's nutrients to grow more bacteria. Viruses, though, can’t replicate on their own; they hijack the machinery of our cells to make many copies of the virus. This replication is what allows an infection to take hold and spread, triggering symptoms as the immune system fights back. They don’t simply die right away, they don’t just exit the body on their own, and they don’t transform into parasites.

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