Microorganisms: Bacteria, Viruses, Protists and Fungi

What this unit covers

The resources here follow the main groups of microorganisms. Bacteria are covered in the Kingdom Monera mind map, which starts from the idea that all members of Monera are prokaryotes with no membrane-bound organelles, then moves on to bacterial structure. Protists and algae have their own maps, including PROTOZOA, Classification of Algae and The Protists. Fungi appear in several mind maps, flashcard decks and quizzes. Viruses are covered too, in quizzes such as Viruses and Baltimore Virus Classification flowcharts.

Where to start

Begin with a broad mind map, then narrow down.

1. Open Kingdom Monera for bacterial structure.
2. Move to The Protists and the PROTOZOA maps, which sort protists by features such as motility, nuclei and habitat.
3. Read the Fungi maps and the Kingdom Fungi (4 phyla) map.
4. Finish with Diseases and Pathogens to see how the groups connect to health.

Applied topics

Some resources look at what microorganisms do. The Fermentation mind map walks through the main stages of fermenting yeast: extract sugar, add yeast, adjust temperature. Culturing Microorganisms explains how bacteria grow in a culture medium with carbohydrates, minerals, proteins and vitamins. You will also find Making Yoghurt, Waste water Treatment and a flowchart on investigating the action of antibiotics.

Using maps and quizzes together

Read a map first, then take a quiz on the same group. Chapter 7 Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and Fungi is a good all-round check, while Wood Decay Fungi and Cyanobacterial Blooms are narrower. Note the questions you miss, return to the map, and then try flashcard decks such as Main groups of fungi or Viruses, Bacteria & Archaea to fix the terms. Most of the material suits secondary students, and about a quarter is aimed at university level, including notes such as MCAT Biology Review: Fungi.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the Diversity of Life strand in Biology and natural sciences. Choose one group of organisms, work through it, and then build your own maps and flashcards to fill any gaps.