Learn: Eukaryotes - Fungi and Protoctists

Welcome!Great to see you back! You've already learned about the characteristics of living things and explored plants and animals as examples of eukaryotes. Now, let's dive into the fascinating world of fungi and protoctists.

What are fungi?Fungi are eukaryotic organisms, meaning their cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. They are different from plants and animals because they don't photosynthesise and often act as decomposers in ecosystems. They can be multicellular, like mushrooms, or unicellular, like yeast.

Fungi structureFungi have unique structures. Multicellular fungi have hyphae, thread-like structures that form a network called a mycelium. The mycelium helps fungi absorb nutrients from their environment. Their cell walls are made of chitin, not cellulose like plant cell walls.

What are protoctists?Protoctists are very diverse eukaryotic organisms. They can be unicellular, like Amoeba, or multicellular, like seaweed. Some protoctists, such as Chlorella, photosynthesise like plants, while others, like Amoeba, feed on other organisms like animals.

Protoctists and diseaseSome protoctists act as pathogens, which cause diseases in humans or plants. For example, Plasmodium, a protoctist, causes malaria in humans. This highlights how protoctists can play diverse roles in ecosystems and human health.

How are fungi and protoctists similar?Both fungi and protoctists are eukaryotes, meaning their cells contain a nucleus. They also reproduce, grow, and carry out life processes. However, their modes of nutrition and lifestyles differ, with fungi often being decomposers and protoctists showing varied behaviours.

Fungi and protoctists: real-world examplesExamples of fungi include mushrooms, which are edible, and mould, which can spoil food. Protoctists like Plasmodium can cause diseases, while Chlorella helps produce oxygen through photosynthesis.

Review Time!Great work so far! We've explored the structure, functions, and importance of fungi and protoctists. Let's test your understanding of what you've learned.