Difference Between Bacteria and Fungi

Bacteria and Fungi come under different categories; the former one is the prokaryotic cell while the latter one is Eukaryotic cells. Apart from this, there are many differences between them like bacteria need a host to live, and they can be autotrophs as well as heterotrophs, whereas fungi grow their own and are heterotrophs which depend on others for their food. Bacteria do not have nuclear membrane enclosing nucleus, while Fungi (eukaryotes) have well- defined nucleus surrounded by the nuclear membrane.

Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes are the two major umbrellas of classifications under which all the organisms are kept. Prokaryotes are the most primitive type of microorganisms, which are single-celled and lack many organelles, while Eukaryotes evolved from prokaryotes only but they are multicellular and contains all organelles with the specific function.

Bacteria and Fungi shares some similarities also like, like they both reproduce and are living, they both can be parasitic and are microscopic too. Below we will discuss the general differences between both the microorganisms, with their different features.

Content: Bacteria Vs Fungi

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Similarities
5. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Definition of Bacteria

Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms, considered as first organisms on earth evolved around 3.5 billion years ago. They can be either autotroph (which can prepare their food by the photosynthesis process or chemosynthesis) or heterotrophs (which depends on their host for nutrition). Bacteria exist in three shapes which are spherical (e.g., cocci), rod-shaped (e.g., Vibrio), and spiral (e.g., Spirochetes) and reproduce asexually by binary fission method or by conjugation.

They are useful in releasing nitrogen to the plants, in decomposing organic matters, used in the fermentation process for making cheese, curd, and yogurt, though sometimes causes illness (tuberculosis, salmonella, strep throat), spoiling of food and contamination of water.

The bacterial cell contains the following components:

• Glycocalyx – The layer of glycocalyx work as a surface receptor, and also safeguard the cell wall.
• Nucleoid – It is the place where the genetic material (DNA) is stored into the condensed small packet.
• Pilus –  It is a hair kind of hollow attachment found on the surface of bacteria. Pilus is used in transfers of DNA to other cells during the cell adhesion.
• Mesosomes – Mesosomes are helpful during cell respiration, They are considered as the extension of the cell membrane, unfolded into the cytoplasm.
• Flagellum – Flagellum is helpful in cellular movement, these are attached to the basal body of the cell.
• Cell Wall – Cell wall is known for providing rigidity and support to the cell.
• Fimbriae –  Fimbriae are the small hair-like structure, helpful in attachment to the surface and other bacteria while mating.
• Inclusion/Granules – These particles supports the storage of glycogen, carbohydrates, phosphate, fats that can be used when needed.
• Ribosomes –  These are tiny particles and play a vital role in the synthesis of protein.
• Cell membrane –  It is the thin layer of protein and lipids,  which present around the cytoplasm and check the flow of materials through the cells.
• Endospore – It protects the cell from harsh conditions.

Prokaryotes can be differentiated into two parts, on the basis of the amount of peptidoglycan present in their cell wall; Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The Gram-positive bacteria contains a large amount of peptidoglycan in their cell wall while the Gram-negative bacteria has the thin layer.

Definition of Fungi

Fungi are the eukaryotic organisms, which can be unicellular (yeasts) or multicellular (hyphae), evolved 900 million years ago and derived from protists. They exist in the thread-like structure called hypha when these hyphal structure grows and form a thick mass; it is called mycelium.

Fungi are heterotrophic organisms, and consume organic carbon for their nutrient. They secretes hydrolytic enzymes, by spreading in soil and rotten wood, feeding off the organic remains. As they obtain their nutrition from dead and decaying materials, they are considered as saprophytes. Fungi reproduce sexually as well asexually, by developing branches, fragmentation, budding or by spores formation.

Some fungi are used for making antibiotics (penicillin), some are used as edibles and used for making bread, but they are also responsible for some plant and animal diseases may spoil food also.

Following are the components of fungi:

• Nucleus – DNA (genetic material) is stored in this and helps in protein synthesis and ribosomes.
• Cytoplasm – Cytoplasm is the location of other organelles, and metabolic activities take place here.
• Mitochondria – It is the ‘powerhouse of the cell.’
• Golgi Apparatus – Its function varies but helps in the sorting of lipids and proteins and modifications of the proteins.
• Lysosomes and peroxisomes – Active in degrading foreign particles.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum – It helped in the transportation of the materials like lipids and proteins and attached to the nuclear membrane.
• Cell Wall – It provides proper structure and shape to the cell as well as support.
• Cytoplasmic Membrane/Plasma Membrane – It is a semi-permeable membrane, surrounding cytoplasm and work as the barrier of the cell by checking the entry and the exit of molecules.
• Ribosomes – Help in the synthesis of protein.

Similarities

• Food sources for them are almost the same.
• Both contain DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid) as their genetic materials.
• They both are responsible for causing disease or infection to the body, as bacteria is responsible for tuberculosis, pneumonia, throat infection, stomach related problems, while fungus causes ringworm and athlete’s foot.
• Both of them contains cytoplasm, cell wall as well as the cell membrane.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, we can say that the microorganisms which are found everywhere, can sometimes be harmless or harmful. They both have different cellular makeup and differ in their functions too. In ecology also they play the important role where some bacteria help in the fermentation process, fungi help in making antibiotics while some may be harmful by causing disease like tuberculosis, strep throat, skin infection, athlete’s foot.