10.2 The five kingdoms

Question 1

What are the 5 types of kingdoms?

Answer 1

Prokaryotae (Bacteria)
Protoctista (the unicellular eukaryotes) 
Fungi (e.g. yeasts)
Plantae (The plants)
Animalia (Animals)

Question 2

What are the general features of prokaryotae?

Answer 2

Unicellular

No nucleus (Ring of ‘naked’ DNA - small ribosomes)

No visible feeding mechanism - as nutrients are adsorbed through the cell wall

Question 3

What are the general features of Protoctista?

Answer 3

Mainly unicellular

A nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles

Some have chloroplast

Some are sessile, but others move by cilia, flagella, or by amoeboid mechanism

Nutrients are acquired by photosynthesis (autotrophic feeders) , indigestion of other organisms (heterophic feeders), or both some are parasites

Question 4

What are the general features of Fungi?

Answer 4

Unicellular or multi-cellular

No chloroplasts or chlorophyll

A nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles and a cell wall mainly composed by chitin

No mechanisms for locomotion

Most have a body or mycelium made of threads or hyphae

Most store their food as glycogen

Nutrients are acquired by absorption - mainly from decaying material - they are saprophytic feeders - some are parasitic

Question 5

What are the general features of Animalia?

Answer 5

Multi-cellular

No chloroplast

A nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles (no cell walls)

Move with aid of cilia, flagella, or contractile proteins, sometimes in the form of muscular organs

Nutrients are acquired by ingestion - they are heterotrophic feeders

Food stored as glycogen

Question 6

What did Wose’s propose in terms of classification?

Answer 6

Proposed that the prokaryotae kingdom should be divided into two kingdoms - Archabacteria and Eubacteria

That there should be 6 kingdoms: Archabacteria, Eubacteria, Protocista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia