Bacteria: structure and reproduction
Look for: prokaryotic organisation, bacterial shapes, plasmids and binary fission.
Amoeba Sisters โ open on YouTube.
MYERS SCIENCE HUB
Excellence in Science Education
Excellence in Science Education
Types of Microorganisms
An interactive BTEC Microbiology lesson on identifying and comparing bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae and viruses using cellular structure, morphology, reproduction and microbiological significance.
Lesson progress0% complete
1
Learning Objectives
Identify
Recognise the five major microorganism groups.
Recognise the five major microorganism groups.
Compare
Describe differences in cellular organisation, structure, nutrition and reproduction.
Describe differences in cellular organisation, structure, nutrition and reproduction.
Apply
Use biological evidence to classify unfamiliar microorganisms.
Use biological evidence to classify unfamiliar microorganisms.
Explain
Relate microorganism structure to microbiological significance.
Relate microorganism structure to microbiological significance.
Success criteria: You can correctly classify an unfamiliar microorganism and justify your decision using at least two biological characteristics.
2
Explore the Five Groups
Click each card to reveal the key features. Read all five before moving on.
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Bacteria
Prokaryotic cells with no membrane-bound nucleus. Usually reproduce by binary fission. Common shapes include cocci, bacilli and spirilla.
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Fungi
Eukaryotic. Include yeasts and moulds. Moulds form hyphae and mycelium; some fungi reproduce using spores and yeast may reproduce by budding.
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Protozoa
Single-celled eukaryotes. Many are motile using cilia, flagella or pseudopodia and often obtain nutrients by ingestion.
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Algae
Mostly photosynthetic eukaryotes containing chlorophyll. They may be unicellular, colonial or multicellular.
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Viruses
Acellular infectious particles containing DNA or RNA inside a protein coat. They replicate only inside living host cells.
Video support: see each microorganism group in context
Use these videos to reinforce the structural and reproductive features above. Focus on the evidence that helps distinguish one group from another.
Protists and fungi
Use this to compare fungi with protists. Pay particular attention to unicellular protozoa, photosynthetic protists/algae, and fungal nutrition and structure.
Amoeba Sisters โ open on YouTube.
Protozoa: characteristics and examples
Focus on why protozoa are classified as single-celled eukaryotes and how their characteristics differ from bacteria.
Lecturio Medical โ open on YouTube.
Viruses: structure and replication
Look for: nucleic acid, capsid, dependence on a host cell and why viruses are described as acellular.
Amoeba Sisters โ open on YouTube.
3
Classification Challenge
For each specimen, select the microorganism group that best matches the evidence.
4
Comparison Grid
Complete the table using short scientific phrases. Your entries are saved in this browser while the page remains open.
| Feature | Bacteria | Fungi | Protozoa | Algae | Viruses |
|---|
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Mystery Microorganisms
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Which One Doesn't Belong?
Choose the odd one out, then write a scientific reason. Some items can have more than one defensible answer if your reasoning is valid.
7
Exit Ticket
Complete these independently to check whether you are ready for the Myers Science Hub assessment.
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Ready for Assessment?
If you can explain the differences among the five groups without relying on the model answers, you are ready for the 20-question MSH assessment.