Bacteria are a large group of heterotrophic organisms that lack chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize.
They do not possess differentiated roots, stems, or leaves, and most lack photosynthetic pigments like chlorophyll, with the exception of a few photosynthetic bacteria. Instead, they live as saprophytes or parasites, relying on organic matter for sustenance and functioning as heterotrophs. Their reproductive organs are predominantly unicellular, and conidia do not develop into embryos.
Presently, approximately 120,000 species of fungi are known. Fungi can be classified into three distinct groups that are unrelated to one another: the phylum Bacteria, the phylum Mucor, and the phylum Fungi. Among them, mucilage organisms occupy a position between animals and fungi.
During their trophic stage, they exist as cell wall-less, multinucleated protoplasmic masses known as plasmodia (similar to amoebas). However, during the reproductive phase, they can produce spores with cellulose cell walls, exhibiting characteristics of fungi.
The structure of fungi is simple, lacking roots, stems, leaves, and other organs. They generally do not possess chlorophyll or other pigments and primarily engage in heterotrophic lifestyles. They can thrive in various environments, including water, air, soil, and the bodies of animals and plants.
When fungi reach a certain stage in their nutritional life, they enter the reproductive phase, forming various reproductive structures known as fruiting bodies. Taking the example of the fungal phylum, the fruiting body comprises asexual spores produced through asexual reproduction and sexual spores resulting from sexual reproduction.
Asexual reproduction involves the direct differentiation of mycelium into asexual spores without nuclear mating or meiosis in the nutritive body. Its fundamental characteristic is the direct production of asexual spores through mycelium differentiation.
Fungi undergo sexual reproduction during a specific period of growth and development, usually in the later stages. Sexual reproduction is a method in which nuclei divide through meiosis, producing spore sacs after the fusion of two sexual cells. In most mycorrhizal fungi, sexual organs, called gametangia, differentiate from the mycelium and form sexual vesicles through the union of male and female gametes.
The process can be divided into three stages: plasmodial mating, nuclear mating, and meiosis. Plasmodial mating occurs when the cytoplasm and nucleus of two sex cells merge in the same cell, resulting in a binuclear phase (N+N). Nuclear mating takes place when the nuclei of two haploid cells combine to form a diploid nucleus (2N) within the fused cell.
Meiosis, the third stage, involves the consecutive division of diploid nuclei into four haploid nuclei (N), returning to the original haploid stage. After sexual reproduction, the fungus can produce four types of sexual spores.
Mycorrhizae are a diverse and widespread group of lower plants found in nature. They are classified into the phyla Bacteria, Mucor, and Fungi. These three phyla of plants differ significantly in morphology, structure, reproduction, and life history, and are not related to each other.
However, some taxonomists classify bacteria and cyanobacteria as prokaryotes, mucilage as a distinct group, and fungi as fungi. Nonetheless, most scholars believe that despite their differences, these three phyla share significant common features.
They are characterized by the simple structure of the phytoplasma, which consists of unicellular and multicellular filaments and a variety of morphological structures composed of filaments.
They lack chlorophyll and other photosynthetic pigments, representing typical heterotrophic plants that encompass parasitism, saprophytism, and symbiosis. This mode of nutrition differs greatly from that of green plants. Hence, they are all classified as mycorrhizal.
Fungi and humans have a close relationship, as many species are edible or have medicinal properties. For example, yeast is used in the production of bread, while drugs like penicillin are extracted from molds. Edible mushrooms such as fungus and mushrooms also have culinary uses.
In nature, countless organisms die every day, and there is an abundance of dead leaves, animal excrement, and other organic matter.
Bacteria and fungi play a crucial role as "cleaners," excelling in the decomposition of complex dead organisms into simple inorganic substances. This process represents nature's way of eliminating "garbage" and is vital for the natural material cycle.
Bacteria and fungi exhibit diverse characteristics and ecological roles, contributing to the functioning and balance of ecosystems. Understanding their unique properties and functions enhances our knowledge of the natural world and its intricate processes.
