Candida fungus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of budding threads (hyphae) of a Candida fungus. The budding areas are where asexual reproduction is producing new fungus cells. This genus of yeast fungi are commonly found on human skin. Species such as Candida albicans can cause conditions such as thrush and nappy rash. Magnification: x50,000 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
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Phagocytosis of a fungus spore. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a neutrophil (blue) phagocytosing (engulfing and destroying) spores from the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus (red). Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell and are part of the body’s immune system. Aspergillus fumigatus is common in dust, soil, and on plants and plant products such as hay or grain. It can cause a number of different diseases in humans, including allergic disorder, respiratory infection and invasive disease.
Athlete’s foot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of spores (red) of the fungus that causes athlete’s foot (Tinea pedis) on the skin of a human foot (brown). The fungus usually grows between the toes, but may spread to the bottom and sides of the foot. The spores can lie dormant for long periods, until conditions are favourable for germination. Treatment involves keeping the infected area dry and using an anti-fungal powder. Magnification: x3000 when printed 10 centimetres tall.
Aspergillus fungus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the fruiting body (round, top) of a typical mould (Aspergillus sp.). A mould is a fungus with a body composed of thin, string-like hyphae (lower centre). Various species of Aspergillus are used commercially, for example in the production of citric acid, or for digesting the starch in rice as a step in making sake (rice wine). Some species of Aspergillus occasionally act as human pathogens. Magnification: x800 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
Stilton. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a blue vein in a piece of Stilton cheese. The colour and flavour of the cheese is produced by the fungus Penicillium roquefortii, the spores (blue beads) of which cover the surface of the cheese vein. In the commercial production of cheese, the curd is pressed so as to create cracks. These cracks contain enough oxygen to support colonies of the fungi, which are introduced in pure form. Magnification: x400 when printed 10 centimetres tall.
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Neutrophil engulfing thrush fungus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a neutrophil white blood cell (centre) engulfing and destroying hyphae (long, round-ended) from a thrush (Candida albicans) fungus. This process is called phagocytosis. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell and are part of the body’s immune system. Hyphae are the long, branching filamentous cells of a fungus.
Credit: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Neutrophil engulfing fungus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a neutrophil white blood cell (blue) engulfing and destroying a Candida albicans (thrush) fungal hypha (beige). This process is called phagocytosis. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell and are part of the body’s immune system.
Credit: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
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Puffball fungus spore, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This is the reproductive cell of the fungus. Magnification: x3000 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.
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Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Ceratocystis ulmi on an elm tree. This is a cause of Dutch Elm Disease (DED). This shows the conidia, the spores of the fungus. Magnification: 10,000x.
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Scanning electron microscopy (Magnification=560x) of nematode-trapping loops of fungi imperfecti (Arthrobotrys oligospora), nematophagous fungi. Close-up of hyphae with adhesive matrix.
