Bacteria, Viruses and Paracites

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1. Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Bacteria are micro-organisms that are too small to see with the naked eye. They exist in virtually all environments in the world, such as dirty water, organic materials such as fallen trees and dead animals and inside the bodies of virtually every living animal on earth. Some pathogenic bacteria can cause a host of very serious diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis. But fortunately not all bacteria are harmful. A number of bacteria found in the human body have positive benefits for their host. They can strengthen the immune system, help digest food, can also help regulate human metabolism. Some bacteria can fight off harmful bacteria helping to prevent illness. Viruses are a small infectious agent that replicates only the inside of living cells of other organisms. Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals to plants to micro organisms. Most viruses are too small to be seen with an optical microscope. Viruses can spread in many ways. Viruses in plants are often transmitted from plant ot plant by insects that feed on them. Viruses in animals can spread by blood sucking insects. Influenza viruses are spread by coughing and sneezing. Norovirus is transmitted faecal oral route and are passed from person to person contact, entering the body in food or water. Fungi is any member of a large group of organisms that includes micro organisms such as yeasts and molds and mushrooms. These organisms are classed as a kingdom. Fungi which is separated from plants, animals and bacteria. One major difference is that fungal cells have cell walls that contain chitin, unlike the cell walls of plants which contain cellulose and unlike the cell walls of bacteria. Most fungi are inconspicuous because of the small size in their structures. They may become noticeable when fruiting either as

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