| Taxonomy |
Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms. Modern taxonomic classification is based
on the natural concepts and system of the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century.
Organisms are grouped based on related biological characteristics. The categories of classification become smaller and more inclusive. They are from largest
to smallest: |
|
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species |
In 1959, American biologist R. H. Whittaker described a classification system of five primary kingdoms: |
|
Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia |
| Monera |
- one-celled or colony of cells
- cell walls made of polysaccharide & amino acid
- obtains food: absorption, photosynthesis, decomposition
- no nervous system
- locomotion in some
- importance: decomposition, produce nitrogen/vitamins/antibiotics
- examples: bacteria, cyanobacteria
|
| Protista |
- mostly one-celled, some multi-celled
- some have cell walls
- obtains food: absorption, ingestion, photosynthesis
- no nervous system
- locomotion in some
- importance: ocean/pond food chain, human food source, produce oxygen
- examples: plankton, algae, amoeba, diatoms
|
| Fungi |
- some one-celled, some multi-celled
- mostly chitin cell walls
- obtains food: decomposer, parasite, absorption, partnership
- no nervous system
- no locomotion
- importance: decomposition, produce antibiotics, helps make bread, helps in
fermentation
- examples: mushrooms, molds, mildews, yeasts
|
| Plantae |
- multi-celled
- cellulose cell walls
- obtains food: mostly photosynthesis
- no nervous system
- no locomotion
- importance: food source, medicines, dyes
- examples: angiosperms(oaks,tulips,cacti), gymnosperms (pines,spruce,fir), mosses, ferns, liverworts, horsetails
|
| Animalia |
- multi-celled
- organs
- no cell walls
- obtains food: parasite, prey
- nervous system
- has locomotion
- importance: food source, labor, recreation
- examples: sponges, worms, mollusks, insects, starfish, mammals, amphibians, fish, birds, reptiles, dinosaurs, and people.
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Labelled