Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent

on another organism for life). Bacteria are tiny living beings (microorganisms) - they are neither plants nor animals - they belong
to a group all by themselves. Bacteria are tiny single-cell microorganisms, usually a few micrometers in length that normally
exist together in millions.
Bacteria come in three main shapes:
Spherical (like a ball)

These are usually the simplest ones. Bacteria shaped like this are called cocci (singular coccus).
Rod shaped

These are known as bacilli (singular bacillus).
Some of the rod-shaped bacteria are curved; these are known as vibrio.
Spiral
These known are as spirilla (singular spirillus).
If their coil is very tight they are known as spirochetes.

Fungi (Singular: fungus) are classified within their own kingdom - The Kingdom Fungi, while some are in The Kingdom Protista. A
fungus is neither a plant nor an animal. It is similar to a plant, but it has no chlorophyll and cannot make its own food like a plant
can through photosynthesis. They get their food by absorbing nutrients from their surroundings.
Kingdom Fungi includes mushrooms, rusts, smuts, puffballs, truffles, morels, molds, and yeasts, and thousands of other
organisms and microorganisms. They range from microscopic single-celled organisms, such as yeast, to gigantic multicellular
organisms.

Many fungi play a crucial role in decomposition (breaking things down) and returning nutrients to the soil. They are also used in
medicine, an example is the antibiotic penicillin, as well as in industry and food preparation.

For a long time fungi were classified as plants, mainly because of their similar lifestyles - both are seen to grow in soil and are
sessile (permanently attached; not moving). Plant and fungal cells both have a cell wall, while cells from the animal kingdom don't.
Fungi are thought to have diverged from the plant and animal kingdoms about one billion years ago.
Where do fungi exist?
Fungi exist in various habitats, including deep down in the ocean, lakes, rocks, deserts, very salty environments, and areas of
extremely high or low temperatures. Some can prevail even after being exposed to intense UV and cosmic radiation as one would
encounter during space travel. During the 13 years the Mir space station was in orbit, a great deal of equipment was
continuously being damaged by mutated fungi that had been breeding in the space station. At first technicians were puzzled and
thought the problems must have been due to faulty workmanship. The majority of fungi live on land.
What do humans use fungi for?
Fungi as a food or used in food preparation

Humans have been eating fungi since before we started walking on our hind legs. Today we eat an enormous variety of edible
fungi, including truffles, mushrooms, quorn, shitake and hundreds others.

We also use fungi, e.g. yeast, in food manufacturing. Yeast is needed for the fermentation of wine, beers and other alcoholic
drinks. We add yeast to dough to make the bread rise when we bake it.
Fungi used in industry and agriculture

Fungi are used in the production of ethanol. They are used extensively to produce industrial chemicals, such as citric acid,
gluconic acid, malic acid, and biological detergents. The production of many deliberately faded garments would be much more
difficult without using fungi. They are used in bioremediation - the detoxification of polluted water or soil.

Fungi are also used in agriculture for pest control and to protect crops from diseases.
Fungi used in medicine
o Antibiotics - Many types of antibiotics come from fungi, such as penicillin (Penicillium chrysogenum),
cephalosporin (Acremonium) , and griseofulvin (Penicillium griseofulvin). Penicillin works by destroying the wall of a
bacterial cell. Fungal antibiotics are extensively used for treating tuberculosis, syphilis, and leprosy, to name but a few
diseases.

o Chemotherapy - Antibacterial chemotherapy uses fungi. Lentilan, a drug used incancer treatment, is sourced from the
shiitake mushroom.

o Immunosuppressants - Cyclosporin is a medication that transplant patients take to suppress their immune system. It is
produced by the fungus Beauveria nivea and significantly lowers the risk of transplanted organ refection. Many successful
transplant procedures could not have occurred without this drug.

Laboratory studies indicate that Agaricus blazei may stimulate the human immune system and could have major implications
for human health - especially in the treatment of many cancers.

US researchers reported that a rapid production of therapeutic human drugs using modified mushrooms may help mount a
quicker response to various public health problems.

The reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) and green tea may both enhance the body's immune functions and hold the
potential for treatment and prevention of many types of cancer, scientists from Pharmanex BJ Clinical Pharmacology Center
in Beijing reported.

Extracts of the mushroom Phellinus linteus may halt breast cancer growth , according to scientists from the Methodist
Research Institute in Indianapolis, USA.
Traditional Chinese Medicine includes several types of mushrooms, such as Agaricus, Ganoderma, and Cordyceps among its
various therapies.
A virus (from the Latin virus meaning toxin or poison) is a microscopic organism consisting of genetic material (RNA or
DNA) surrounded by a protein, lipid (fat), or glycoprotein coat.

Viruses are unique microorganisms because they cannot reproduce without a host cell. After contacting a host cell, a virus will
insert genetic material into the host and take over that host's functions. The cell, now infected, continues to reproduce, but it
reproduces more viral protein and genetic material instead of its usual products. It is this process that earns viruses the
classification of "parasite".
What are "friendly" viruses?
Most of us know about friendly bacteria that exists in our intestines and help us digest food. Scientists from San Diego State
University reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (May 2013 issue) that humans also carry friendly
viruses that help protect us from dangerous bacteria, including E. coli.