Biodiversity: Fungi

Fungi

• Fungi play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the soil, and allowing plants to utilize them.
• Some fungi can cause diseases, while others, like penicillin, are beneficial to humans.
• Yeast, a type of fungi, is used to make bread rise and to ferment beer and wine.
• Characteristics of fungi:
  • Unicellular and multicellular organisms
  • Cannot manufacture their own food
  • Reproduce with spores
  • Cannot move

Bacteria

• Bacteria are microscopic organisms, requiring a microscope to be seen.
• Characteristics of bacteria:
  • Some may move
  • Can manufacture their own food (some species)
  • Divide to become more
• Bacteria are alive, as they exhibit certain life processes.

Protista

• Protista are microscopic organisms, requiring a microscope to be seen.
• Characteristics of protista:
  • Unicellular, but not always
  • Eukaryotic cells with a membrane around the core
  • Need a fluid medium to live
• Protista, like Plankton, are unable to eat and must make their own food through photosynthesis.

Vertebrates

• Animals are classified into vertebrates (with a spine) and invertebrates (without a spine).

• Vertebrate animals are subdivided into five classes: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

• Characteristics of vertebrates:

  • Have a vertebral column (spine) with a cavity containing nerve cells
  • Skeletons are made of bone
  • Have an endoskeleton

• Examples of vertebrates: dolphin, dog, goose, and others.