IS INVESTING IN MUTUAL FUNDS AND STOCKS THE SAME THING?

People have told me due to my tall turn of risk which I should deposit many of my income in stocks. I know my bank offers mutual supports as well as IRA’s though I am not certain if they suggest stocks. If I have no batch investing knowledge afterwards should I sinecure the attorney to do it for me or should I only hang with assertive mutual funds? Are bonds as well as mutual supports the same thing? What is an e.g. of the stock?