Fungi and Mould

Features of Fungi

• Fungi are eukaryotic organisms.
• Candida is an important fungus in dentistry.
• Fungi are found in two structural forms: yeast and mould.
• Some fungi can exist in both forms and are called dimorphic.

Yeast

• Yeasts are single-celled, unicellular organisms.
• They are found in various habitats, including fruit, mammal stomachs, oral cavities and vaginal areas.
• Yeasts are typically white and thready, appearing oval.
• Yeasts do not have true hyphae.
• Instead, they form multicellular pseudo-hyphae.
• Yeast is not a sporing species.
• Yeasts are less colourful than moulds, often appearing colourless.
• Yeasts can grow in aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions.
• Yeast can cause infections in individuals with weakened immune systems.
• Yeasts are often seen with lateral projections called daughter cells.
• Daughter cells split from the mother cell to produce the next generation through "budding".
• Some yeasts reproduce by binary fission.
• Yeasts can form pseudohyphae, which are chains of elongated budding cells.
• Candida forms pseudohyphae in the oral cavity.

Moulds

• Moulds consist of multiple, tubular branches.
• Moulds are multicellular organisms.
• Mould is typically found in damp, dark, or humid areas.
• Mould has a fluffy appearance and can be found in various shapes.
• Mould has microscopic filaments called hyphae.
• Mould is a sporing fungus.
• Moulds are colourful and can be orange, green, black, brown, pink, or purple.