Though they are minuscule, bacteria and fungi differ in their cellular makeup. For instance, bacteria are prokaryotic entities, and fungi are eukaryotes.
Bacteria
- These are prokaryotic entities
- Bacteria are single-celled
- They do not have a nucleus or any other organelle, and cannot reproduce sexually
- They have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan
- Most of these are found hosted in our intestines safeguarding us from pathogens, aiding in food digestion and helping synthesize vitamins
Fungi
- Eukaryotic entities and multicellular
- The nuclei contain chromosomes and other organelles such as ribosomes and mitochondria
- They have a cell wall made of chitin
Difference Between Bacteria and Fungi
The table below lists some of the important differences between Bacteria and fungi
| Bacteria | Fungi |
| Definition | |
| Most ancient entities known, microscopic, unicellular, prokaryotic, the cell structure is rather simple | Eukaryotic, Multicellular, the cell structure is complicated |
| Producers/Decomposers | |
| Can be both producers (chemosynthetic bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria) and decomposers (Soil bacteria) | Fungi are typically decomposers |
| Features | |
|
|
| 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
|
Mostly thread-like structures known as hyphae but vary in shapes |
| Sterols in the cell membrane | |
| Absent, except in mycoplasma | Present |
| Nutrition mode | |
| Autotrophs, mostly heterotrophs | Heterotrophs feed on dead and decaying matter |
| Reproduction mode | |
| Asexual (binary fission) | Either sexual or asexual |
| Locomotion | |
| Through structures known as a flagellum | Non-motile |
| Energy source | |
| Proteins, sugar, fats | Used and already existing sources from the environment |
| Sensitivity to | |
| Antibiotics such as Chloramphenicol, 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 | |
|
|
| Example | |
| Lactococcus lactis, faecal bacteria, Escherichia coli | Brewer’s yeast, White button mushroom |
Microbes are ubiquitous, found in every possible nook and corner as they are able to adapt to any harsh climatic condition. Bacteria and fungi are microbes, tiny/microscopic inhabiting in almost every ecosystem. Where some can be harmful, some other microbes actively participate in biological processes, crucial biological cycles taking place, thereby playing a vital role ecologically.
Explore more differences between bacteria and fungi or discover other articles and important concepts for NEET at BYJU’S.
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