5 Kingdoms - key terms

Autotroph

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own food, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Heterotroph

An organism that obtains food by consuming other organisms or organic matter.

Saprotroph

An organism that feeds on decaying organic matter, often associated with fungi and some bacteria.

Chitin

A structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of arthropods.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that forms the cell walls of plants and some protists (e.g., algae).

Peptidoglycan

A polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms the cell wall of most bacteria (Monera).

Eukaryotic

Refers to organisms with cells that have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia).

Prokaryotic

Refers to organisms with cells that lack a true nucleus, such as bacteria (Monera).

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead or decaying organic matter, primarily fungi and some bacteria.

Unicellular

Consisting of a single cell, characteristic of Monera and most Protista.

Multicellular

Consisting of multiple cells, characteristic of Plantae, Animalia, and many fungi.

Flagella

A whip-like structure used for movement, found in some protists and bacteria.

Cilia

Hair-like structures used for movement or sensory functions, found in some protists.

Motile

Capable of movement, often applied to certain protists and animals.

Non-motile

Incapable of movement, characteristic of most plants and fungi.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound structure that contains genetic material, present in eukaryotes (Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia)