What are the five kingdoms proposed by R.H. Whittaker in 1969?
- Monera
- Protista
- Fungi
- Plantae
- Animalia
The classification is based on criteria including cell structure and phylogenetic relationships.
What type of organisms are included in Kingdom Monera?
- Bacteria
Bacteria are the sole members and are the most abundant microorganisms, found in various habitats.
Bacteria are grouped under four categories based on their shape. Name them.
- Coccus (spherical)
- Bacillus (rod-shaped)
- Vibrio (comma-shaped)
- Spirillum (spiral)
These categories help in identifying and classifying different types of bacteria.
True or false: Fungi are included in Kingdom Monera.
FALSE
Fungi are classified under a separate kingdom, Kingdom Fungi.
The three-domain system divides the Kingdom Monera into how many domains?
Two
This system leaves the remaining eukaryotic kingdoms in a third domain, leading to a six kingdom classification.
What is the main characteristic that differentiates Fungi from Plantae?
Cell wall composition
Fungi have chitin in their cell walls, while green plants have a cellulosic cell wall.
Fill in the blank: The classification system reflects not only morphological, physiological, and reproductive similarities but is also _______.
phylogenetic
This means it is based on evolutionary relationships.
What are the two kingdoms that will be dealt with separately in chapters 3 and 4?
- Plantae
- Animalia
These kingdoms are commonly referred to as plant and animal kingdoms, respectively.
What is the significance of the criteria for classification in biological taxonomy?
It changes over time
Changes occur based on improvements in understanding characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
What is the metabolic diversity of bacteria compared to other organisms?
Bacteria show the most extensive metabolic diversity
Some bacteria are autotrophic, synthesizing their own food from inorganic substrates, while many are necrotrophic, depending on other organisms or dead organic matter for food.
What are Archaebacteria known for?
Living in harsh habitats such as:
* saline areas
* hot springs
* marshy areas
They differ from other bacteria in having a different cell wall structure.
What is the role of Archaebacteria in the environment?
Responsible for the production of methane biomass from the dung of ruminant animals
Examples include cows and buffaloes.
What characterizes Eubacteria or ‘true bacteria’?
- Presence of a rigid cell wall
- Motility via flagellum
They often form blooms in polluted water bodies and can be photosynthetic autotrophs.
What are heterotrophic bacteria primarily known for?
Being important decomposers
They have a significant impact on human affairs, such as making curd from milk and producing antibiotics.
What diseases are caused by certain bacteria?
- Cholera
- Typhoid
- Tetanus
- Citrus canker
These are well-known diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria.
How do bacteria primarily reproduce?
By fission
Under unfavorable conditions, they may produce spores and can also reproduce through a form of DNA transfer.
What are Mycoplasma?
Organisms that completely lack a cell wall
They are the smallest living cells known and can survive without oxygen.
What defines the Kingdom Protista?
All single-celled eukaryotes
The boundaries of this kingdom are not well defined, and it includes various groups like Chrysophytes and Protozoans.
What are Chrysophytes?
Includes diatoms and golden algae
They are found in freshwater and marine environments and are primarily photosynthetic.
What is unique about the cell walls of diatoms?
Form two thin overlapping shells embedded with silica
These walls are indestructible and have left large deposits known as diatomaceous earth.
What is the ecological role of diatoms?
Chief producers in the oceans
They float passively in water currents as plankton.
