Single-celled fungi: beneficial, pathogenic and their reflection in real life and games

03 Dec 2024

Unicellular fungi are amazing organisms that combine the simplicity of their structure and the complexity of their interaction with the environment. Their role in nature and human life is enormous: from fermentation to diseases.

Beneficial properties and applications
Food products:

Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is widely used to make bread, beer, wine and other fermented products.
Yeast is involved in biotechnology, for example, for the production of biofuels and vitamins.
Pharmaceuticals:

Fungi produce antibiotics such as penicillin.
Genetically modified yeast is used to synthesize insulin and other proteins.
Science:

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is actively used in genetic research due to the simplicity of its genome.
Pathogenic properties
Fungal infections:

Candida albicans causes candidiasis, which is especially dangerous for people with weakened immunity.
Cryptococcus neoformans can cause life-threatening infections in AIDS patients.
Economic Damage:

Some fungi spoil food and crops.
Real-Life Features
Single-celled fungi play an important role in ecosystems, participating in the decomposition of organic matter and the circulation of substances. They adapt to a wide variety of conditions, even living in extreme environments, such as hot springs.

Reflection in Games
Single-celled fungi often inspire game creators to create unusual mechanics and plots:

Simulation Games:

For example, in "Spore," players can evolve microorganisms, including fungi, adapting them to different conditions.
Biology simulations use fungi as a model for studying ecosystems.
Horror Games:

In games such as "The Last of Us," a fungal infection becomes the basis for a plot about survival in an apocalyptic world. Real pathogens inspire developers to create new types of enemies.
Role-playing and strategy games:

Single-celled fungi can be allies (for example, to heal characters) or enemies (as pathogenic forms).

Single-celled fungi are unique organisms that play an important role in nature, industry, and human life. Their versatility and adaptability make them indispensable in a variety of areas. One of the most well-known examples is yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), which is widely used in the production of bread, beer, wine, and other products. These fungi participate in fermentation processes, creating carbon dioxide and alcohol, which makes them indispensable in cooking and the alcohol industry. Moreover, yeast is widely used in biotechnology: with their help, vitamins, biofuels, and proteins such as insulin are synthesized. However, single-celled fungi are not only useful. Some of them can be pathogenic. For example, the fungus Candida albicans causes candidiasis, especially in people with weakened immunity. Another representative, Cryptococcus neoformans, can cause dangerous infections affecting the central nervous system, especially in people with HIV infection. Fungal infections are a serious problem in medicine, requiring complex treatment and long-term therapy.

In nature, single-celled fungi play an important ecological role, participating in the decomposition of organic matter and maintaining the cycle of nutrients. They are able to survive in the most extreme conditions, for example, in hot springs or at high salt concentrations. This makes them an interesting object for scientific research and genetic experiments.

Interestingly, single-celled fungi have found their way into popular culture, including video games. In games, they often act as either a model for biological simulations or as a basis for fantasy plots. For example, in the simulator "Spore," players can develop microorganisms, including fungi, adapting them to various environmental conditions. In games such as "The Last of Us," fungal infection becomes a key theme, creating an atmosphere of horror and tension. Game developers draw inspiration from real-life fungal biology, creating new enemies or introducing interesting interaction mechanics.
Single-celled fungi are a balance of benefit and threat, which reflects their dual nature. Their importance in real life and influence on creativity is enormous: from the bakery to virtual worlds. Such organisms remind us of the complex interrelationships between biology and technology, nature and fantasy.