Fungi vs. Protozoa — What's the Difference?

The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments.

Protozoa that move using one or more whip-like structures called flagella.

A reproductive cell capable of developing into a new individual without sexual fusion.

Protozoa characterized by the presence of hair-like structures called cilia.

Fungi break down and absorb nutrients from organic matter.

Protozoa that live on or within another organism, deriving nutrients at the host’s expense.

A unicellular fungus used in fermentation.

A type of protozoa that moves using pseudopodia.

A type of fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae.

The primary method of reproduction in protozoa, where the cell divides into two genetically identical cells.

A plural of fungus.

Protozoa (also protozoan, plural protozoans) is an informal term for a group of single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic, that feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues and debris. Historically, protozoans were regarded as "one-celled animals", because they often possess animal-like behaviours, such as motility and predation, and lack a cell wall, as found in plants and many algae.

(pathology) Spongy, abnormal growth, as granulation tissue formed in a wound.

Any of numerous chiefly single-celled eukaryotic organisms, most of which move about freely and ingest food, including the amoebas, ciliates, flagellates, and apicomplexans. Protozoans along with certain algae, oomycetes, and some other groups make up the protists.

Alternative spelling of fungee

Plural of protozoan

A style of folk and popular music from the Virgin Islands, traditionally performed by bands consisting of banjo, guitar, ukulele, and washboard with various percussion instruments on rhythm.

Plural of protozoon

The taxonomic kingdom of lower plants

The lowest of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom.

(pun) the one who buys the drinks

In some classifications considered a superphylum or a subkingdom; comprises flagellates; ciliates; sporozoans; amoebas; foraminifers

Fungi have a cell wall made of chitin, while protozoa generally do not have a rigid cell wall.

Fungi reproduce through spores, both sexually and asexually, while protozoa mostly reproduce asexually by binary fission.

Fungi act as decomposers and nutrient recyclers in ecosystems, while protozoa are important in controlling bacteria populations and as part of aquatic food webs.

Fungi are mostly multicellular organisms that decompose organic material, while protozoa are single-celled organisms often found in water.

Examples include mushrooms, yeast, and molds.

Examples include amoebas, giardia, and plasmodium.

Fungi like yeast are crucial in fermentation processes for making bread, beer, and wine.

Fungi are composed of a network of filaments called mycelium and have a rigid cell wall, whereas protozoa are more flexible in shape and lack a rigid cell wall.

Yes, both can cause diseases: fungi can cause infections like athlete's foot, while protozoa can cause diseases like malaria.

No, while some fungi cause diseases, others are beneficial and used in medicine and food industries.

Fungi are found in diverse environments including soil and decaying material, whereas protozoa are predominantly found in moist or aquatic environments.

Most protozoa are microscopic and require a microscope to be seen, though some can aggregate into visible colonies.

Protozoa ingest bacteria, algae, or other microorganisms, and some absorb nutrients directly from their environment.

Protozoa help maintain bacterial populations and are a key part of the food web in aquatic environments.

Yes, some fungi are aquatic and play roles in decomposing material in water bodies.