Microbiology: Fungi and Protozoa Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering the characteristics, structure, and reproductive methods of yeasts, moulds, and protozoa.

Yeasts

Unicellular fungi that usually reproduce by budding, though some will produce spores, and are often described as smooth in appearance.

Budding

The reproduction process where a bud forms on the exterior of a parent cell, the parent cell's nucleus divides with one moving into the bud, and the bud eventually breaks away.

Bud scar

A mark left on the parent cell of a yeast after a bud has detached.

Moulds

Multicellular, fluffy fungi that are described as filamentous and made up of fine threads called hyphae.

Filamentous

A descriptive term for moulds because they are composed of fine threads known as hyphae.

Hyphae

The fine threads that make up the structure of multicellular moulds.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead plant and animal matter into absorbable nutrients for themselves and other living organisms.

Eukaryote cells

The type of cells that constitute fungi (both unicellular yeasts and multicellular moulds) and protozoa.

Fungi Classification

Fungi are classified based on how they reproduce, which includes budding, hyphal extension, and the formation of spores.

Spores

Units of reproduction for moulds and some yeasts that can be produced either sexually or asexually.

Hyphal extension

One of the three ways fungi reproduce and grow, distinguishing certain types from those that use budding or spores.

Protozoa

Unicellular eukaryotic microorganisms that are distinguished by how they move and include species that cause diseases in humans.

Prokaryote

The cellular classification of bacteria, which distinguishes them from eukaryotic fungi and protozoa.