How do bacteria and viruses survive on hard surfaces?

Question

How do bacteria and viruses survive on hard surfaces?

In: Biology

Answer 1

First of all, not all of them do. In fact, most of them don’t. As they dry up, the proteins eventually denature due to exposure to background levels of stuff like ozone and UV light. To add to this, bacteria are living organisms and need a food source to survive. Without a food source on a surface, they will eventually die.

However, some bacteria and viruses can form a hardened spore that doesn’t require ongoing food intake and is more protected against stuff like ozone and UV light