Difference Between Bacteria and Fungi

Bacteria and fungi are two separate organisms. Fungi are Eukaryotic cells, whereas bacteria are prokaryotic. Other than that, the differences between the two are well-documented. In order to exist, bacteria require a host, and they can be either autotrophs or heterotrophs in this regard. Fungi, on the other hand, are heterotrophs, meaning they produce their own food rather than relying on the food of other organisms. In general, organisms can be divided into two groups: prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that are the oldest and most basic. Eukaryotes, on the other hand, evolved from prokaryotes, yet they are still multicellular and retain all of the organelles that prokaryotes do. Both reproduce and are alive, for example, thus there are some parallels between the two. Bacteria and fungi are two different types of organisms.

What Is the Difference Between Bacteria and Fungi?

Bacteria and fungi are two different types of organisms that are classified separately. Bacteria are classified as prokaryotic cells, whereas fungi are classified as Eukaryotic cells. Aside from that, there are other more distinctions between them that are well known. Bacteria require a host in order to survive, and they can be either autotrophs or heterotrophs in nature. Fungi, on the other hand, produce their own food and are heterotrophs, which means they rely on other organisms for nutrition. Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes are the two most important classifications of creatures in the world. Prokaryotes are the most primordial organisms on the planet, and they are single-celled. Eukaryotes, on the other hand, originated only from prokaryotes, but they are multicellular and contain all of the organelles found in prokaryotes. Both have certain similarities, such as the fact that they both reproduce and that they both exist. This article will discuss the differences between Bacteria and Fungi and how they affect us.

What exactly is Bacteria?

They are prokaryotic bacteria, and it has been estimated that they first appeared on the planet approximately 3.5 billion years ago. They can be either autotrophs, which means they can create their own food through the process of photosynthesis, or heterotrophs, which means they must rely on their host for nourishment. bacteria are commonly classified into three shapes: spheres, rod-shaped structures, and spiral structures. They reproduce asexually, either through the binary fission mechanism or through conjugal reproduction.

What exactly is fungi?

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms, and they can be unicellular, such as yeasts, or multicellular, such as hyphae, depending on their size. Their origins date back 900 million years and they are descended from protists. They are most commonly found in a thread-like structure known as a hypha. And, as they expand, they produce a thick mass known as mycelium, which is a fungus. They are heterotrophic organisms that obtain their nutrition from the breakdown of organic carbon. In addition, they release hydrolytic enzymes. Fungi derive their sustenance from decomposing and decaying matter in the environment. They reproduce sexually as well as asexually through the process of generating branches, fragmentation, budding, and other similar mechanisms of reproduction.

  • Difference Between Bacteria and Fungi

Bacteria

Fungi

Definition

Most of the oldest things we know about are microscopic, unicellular, and prokaryotic. The cell structure is very simple.

eukaryotic, multicellular, and the cell structure is very complex

Producers/Decomposers

Chemosynthetic and phototrophic bacteria are both producers and decomposers, so they can be found in both places (Soil bacteria)

They are usually the ones who break down things like wood and paper.

Features

  • Cell organelles are absent
  • Nucleus is absent
  • Cell wall is made of peptidoglycan
  • Cell organelles are present
  • Nucleus is present
  • Cell wall is made of chitin

pH environment for best growth

Neutral pH value (6.5-7.0)

Slightly acidic where pH is 4-6

Presence of cell membrane

Below the cell wall

Yes, present

Shape/structure

3 different shapes

  • Round – cocci
  • Spiral – Spirella
  • Rod – Bacillus

They are mostly thread-like structures known as hyphae, but they come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.

Sterols in the cell membrane

Except in mycoplasma, where it is not present.

Present

Nutrition mode

Autotrophs, mostly heterotrophs

Dead and decaying matter is what heterotrophs like to eat.

Reproduction mode

Asexual (binary fission)

Either sexual or asexual

Locomotion

A flagellum is a part of the body that moves.

Non-motile

Energy source

Proteins, sugar, fats

Sources from the environment that have been used and are already there

Sensitivity to

Such as Chloramphenicol and Penicillin.

Griseofulvin

Resistance towards

Griseofulvin

Antibiotics such as Chloramphenicol, Penicillin

Pathogens causing these diseases

Leprosy, Cholera, Tuberculosis, Tetanus

Aspergillosis, Athlete’s foot, Allergic bronchopulmonary

Cellular Components

  • Nucleoid
  • Pilus
  • Glycocalyx
  • Mesosomes
  • Cell wall
  • Nucleus
  • Cytoplasm
  • Golgi apparatus
  • Mitochondria
  • Peroxisomes

Example

Lactococcus lactis, fecal bacteria, Escherichia coli

Brewer’s yeast, White button mushroom

Conclusion

From the following article we can conclude that Bacteria and fungi are two distinct groups. Both bacteria and fungi are prokaryotic cells. Besides this, many other distinctions exist between them. Bacteria require a host to survive and can be autotrophs or heterotrophs. However, fungi are heterotrophs and thus rely on others for food. Organisms are classified as Prokaryotes or Eukaryotes. Prokaryotes are single-celled primitives. While Eukaryotes are multicellular and contain all organelles, they evolved from prokaryotes only. Both reproduce and live, for example. An overview of the differences between bacteria and fungi.