List two ways that these single - celled fungi are different from bac-terial cells?
To identify the differences between single-celled fungi and bacterial cells, we can consider two common characteristics that distinguish them:
1. Cell Structure:
- Fungal cells have a defined nucleus, which contains their genetic material (DNA). This nucleus is enclosed within a membrane, called the nuclear membrane. In comparison, bacterial cells lack a true nucleus. Instead, their genetic material is present in a region called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a nuclear membrane.
- Fungal cells have membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum. These organelles perform different functions within the cell. In contrast, bacterial cells lack these membrane-bound organelles.
2. Cell Wall Composition:
- Fungal cells have a cell wall composed primarily of chitin, a complex polysaccharide. The chitin provides strength and rigidity to the cell. In bacterial cells, the cell wall is made up of peptidoglycan, a different type of polysaccharide that offers structural support.
- Some fungi also possess an additional cell wall layer called the "glucan layer," which is absent in bacterial cells.
To summarize:
Single-celled fungi differ from bacterial cells in terms of cell structure (nucleus and membrane-bound organelles) and the composition of their cell walls (chitin and sometimes an extra glucan layer).