Bacteria and fungi are two very important parts of our eco-system. Fungi are a group of living organisms that consume organic matter but possess no chlorophyll and thus cannot manufacture their own energy like plants. A bacterium is a single-celled microscopic organism found everywhere and present in all kinds of environments. Both organisms play important roles in the breakdown and decomposition of organic matter and help recycle nutrients. Although they are helpful to the eco-system, some of them can also be harmful to its inhabitants.
Yeast Fungi
Fungi can be divided into three main types based on their structure. Yeast is a unicellular fungi that generally reproduces by budding or division. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an example of yeast used for baking or fermentation. Cryptococcus neoformans, another type of yeast, can cause cryptococcal meningitis, an infection in the brain membrane. Candida albicans is a yeast present in the gut flora of mammals and animals. It can overgrow in certain instances and cause harm.
Mold Fungi
Molds are a multi-cellular type of fungi that typically reproduce by forming spores. Penicillium, an example of mold, is used in the production of the antibiotic penicillin. Rhizopus is a common mold that appears on decaying food. Rhizopus often is seen on spoiled bread. Cladosporium is a mold type of fungus mostly found on living and dead plants.
Mushroom Fungi
Mushrooms are fleshy fungi that grow from the soil or host food source and reproduce by bearing spores. Mushrooms typically consist of a stem, cap, and gills or lamellae. Amanita muscaria, also known as the fly agaric, is an example of a mushroom type of fungus. Lentinula edodes, also known as the Shiitake mushroom, is a kind of edible mushroom from Asia. Agaricus bisporus is another edible mushroom, know as the common mushroom or button mushroom. It is one of the most commonly consumed mushrooms in the world.
Spherical-shaped Bacteria
Spherical-shaped bacterias are called cocci. Gram positive cocci and gram negative cocci are the two two main types of spherical bacteria. An example of gram positive cocci is streptococcus pyogenes which is the bacteria usually responsible for strep throat. An example of gram negative cocci is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is responsible for the sexually transmitted disease known as gonorrhea.
Rod-shaped Bacteria
Rod-shaped bacteria are called bacilli. Gram positive bacilli and gram negative bacilli are the two main types of rod-shaped bacteria. One example of gram positive bacilli, Listeria monocytogenes, is usually found in unpasteurized dairy products. Another example of rod-shaped bacteria is Haemophilus influenza, which is a gram negative bacillus that can cause pneumonia.
Spiral-shaped and Other Rare Bacteria
Spiral-shaped bacteria are called spirilla. Some rare bacteria possess different shapes which are more complex. Spirochaetes are corkscrew-shaped bacteria that are pathogenic. An example is borrelia bacteria, which causes Lyme disease. Rickettsia is bacteria that can only survive inside other living cells. Rickettsia rickettsia is a form of Rickettsia bacteria that causes the Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Mycoplasma is a bacterium that has no cell wall.
