A member of the biological kingdom Fungi, consisting of organisms that obtain nutrients from organic material and include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.
Fungi are distinct organisms with complex cells containing a nucleus. Some are harmless or beneficial, while others can cause infections in humans. Fungal infections can affect the skin and nails or, in susceptible people, invade deeper tissues and organs.
Unlike bacteria, fungi are eukaryotic organisms and have different cellular structures and metabolic processes. Consequently, medicines used to treat bacterial infections do not generally treat fungal infections.
QUICK FACT
The singular is fungus; the plural is fungi.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Bacteria: single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms that differ fundamentally from fungi in cellular structure.
- Fungal infection: an infection caused by a fungus; the fungus itself is the infectious agent.
SEE ALSO