Spores of fungus, Candida albicans

The long strands are the tubular filaments (hyphae) that have developed from the fungal spores. Yeast cells (rounded, yellow) are budding from the ends of the hyphae (red). Candida albicans causes the infection known as candidiasis which affects the moist mucous membranes of the body, such as skin folds, mouth, respiratory tract and vagina. Oral and vaginal conditions are known as thrush.

More about fungi

What’s in the background?

Links

The following links provide further educational resources.

General Science

  • School Science

    A website from the Association for Science Education including interactive electronic resources (e-sources) each containing written information, pictures, animations, quick questions and a glossary. Searchable by keywords or phrases.

    www.schoolscience.co.uk/

  • CLEAPSS

    Training courses, publications and advice for science teachers and technicians (including microbiology) available to subscribing LEAs and schools only. Focus on safety and equipment.

    www.cleapss.org.uk/

  • SSERC (Scottish Schools Equipment Research Centre)

    Covers science, technology and safety in Scottish schools. Activities include training in and resources to support practical microbiology, often jointly with SAPS Scotland.

    www.sserc.org.uk/

General Biology

  • Biochemical Society

    A collection of biochemistry resources for teachers and students. Includes comprehensive reviews and cross-referencing. The site can be searched by topic, curriculum or age-range.

    www.biochemistry.org/

  • Biology4all.com

    Biology resources for educators, pupils and the general public. Includes discussion lists for teachers and technicians, careers, biology degree course and jobs information, a database of speakers and a resources library.

    biology4all.com/

  • Biozone

    Resources and information to support all UK examining bodies AS and A2 Biology specifications. Arranged by topic with excellent links to other websites. Sections on microbiology and biotechnology. Extensive annotated list of links for microbiology, health and disease (including infectious disease and immunology) and biotechnology. Frequently updated.

    www.biozone.co.uk/

  • National Centre for Biotechnology Education

    Information on services, courses, kits and materials supplied by the NCBE, practical investigations (many of which are microbiological), special feature on genetically modified food and crops, safety information and an excellent links page to a wide range of biotechnology websites.

    www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk/

  • Practical Biology

    Practical Biology provides teachers of biology at all levels with experiments that demonstrate a wide range of biological concepts and processes. Each practical may be used alone or as a starting-point for open-ended investigations or enhancement activities, such as clubs or open-day events. Experiments are placed within real-life contexts, with links to carefully selected further reading, enabling teachers to show relevance and illustrate the key principles of How Science Works.

    www.practicalbiology.org/

  • Science & Plants for Schools

    SAPS promotes the teaching of plant science and molecular biology. The website includes details of workshops, publications, practical kits plus information and an extensive links page. SAPS covers some microbiology, especially in Scotland where SAPS run practical training courses for teachers and technicians in collaboration with SSERC.

    www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/

  • Survival Rivals

    Links to projects inspired by Darwin. The X-bacteria is a kit, aimed at 16-19 year olds, that allows them to carry out a practical investigation into the transfer of antibiotic resistance between bacteria.

    www.stem.org.uk/elibrary/collection/4097

Microbiology

  • e-Bug

    e-Bug is a European wide, DG SANCO funded, antibiotic and hygiene teaching resource for junior and senior school children. This resource reinforces an awareness of the benefits of antibiotics, as well as teaching about prudent use and how inappropriate use can have an adverse effect on an individual's good bugs and antibiotics resistance in the community. The areas of hand and respiratory hygiene and spread of infections in the community are also covered, including teaching how to wash hands most effectively.

    www.e-bug.eu/

  • Fungi 4schools

    Education pages from the British Mycological Society, featuring downloadable resources.

    www.fungi4schools.org/

  • Microbe World

    Extensive US site includes microbe portrait gallery, amazing facts and tales, types of microbes and a section on What do microbes do?

    www.microbeworld.org/

  • Microbes.info

    A microbiology information portal that brings together links to a large collection of microbiology resources including articles, news and frequently asked questions.

    www.microbes.info/

  • Microbe Zoo

    Microbe Zoo is an educational resource about ecology and microbiology.

    commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/zoo/

  • MiSAC

    Microbiology in Schools Advisory Committee (MiSAC) promotes the teaching of safe practical microbiology in schools. It develops and publishes ideas for the educational use of micro‐organisms, including practical activities and the safe use of micro‐organisms. It interacts with science suppliers, publishers and industry.

    www.misac.org.uk/

Related Information

Resources

The Society produces a wide range of microbiology teaching resources for all age groups. Click here to find out more.
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