Compare and contrast a virus to a cell. What would be some differences? What are some similarities?

Cell is the basic and fundamental unit of life and are composed of various organelles. Viruses are non living infectious matters. The major differences between cells and viruses are in their genetic compositions and reproduction.  In cells, the genetic material is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and with it the cell produces its protein and other useful materials through replication and transcription. While virus have de-oxyribonucleic acid or ribonucleic acid as its genetic material. Viruses have double stranded DNA, single stranded DNA, double stranded RNA, single stranded RNA and there is regular inter-conversion o RNA TO DNA and vice versa within itself to produce proteins. Viruses can reproduce faster than normal cells because there genetic material are not enclosed in the nucleus and are located all around in the cytoplasm of the virus unlike in normal cells where DNA are enclosed in the nucleus. Series of processes are involved in the production of proteins by cells, the viruses make use of the cell's protein pathways when they get in contact with host. Viruses are smaller and simpler than normal cells.

Similarities between the cells and viruses include the fact that both have genetic materials and can produce proteins even though viruses do not have the machinery to carry out such instructions until it enters the host and uses the host processes. They cam both carry out basic life processes such as movement, growth, reproduction and so on.