What are fungi and bacteria?

Fungi and bacteria are tiny helpers that live all around us, just like friends you might find hiding in your snacks or on your toys.

Fungi are like little house builders, they make homes for themselves by growing on things like bread, fruit, or even the floor. A common fungus is mold, which makes your old sandwich look squishy and green. Fungi aren’t always bad; some help us grow food, like mushrooms in the forest.

Bacteria, on the other hand, are more like tiny workers, they can be found everywhere, even on your skin or inside your tummy. Some bacteria make you sick if they get too loud, but others are helpful, like those that help you digest food.

• Fungi eat things by breaking them down, kind of like how you nibble on a cookie.
• Bacteria can copy themselves super fast, just like when you make copies of your drawing with a photocopier, and sometimes they do it in your body!

Both fungi and bacteria are invisible to the eye but work hard every day, making our world interesting and full of life.