The Six Kingdoms and Taxonomy

Flashcards related to the Six Kingdoms, taxonomy, and classification of organisms.

Taxonomy

The process of categorizing organisms into groups based on shared characteristics.

Domain

The largest taxonomic group that categorizes organisms, being the least specific.

Species

The smallest and most specific group in taxonomy, used to classify organisms.

Prokaryotes

Organisms, like those in the domains Archaea and Bacteria, that lack a membrane-bound nucleus.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with membrane-bound organelles and nuclei, including kingdoms like Fungi and Plantae.

Kingdom Archaebacteria

Consists of prokaryotic organisms that live in extreme environments.

Kingdom Eubacteria

Consists of prokaryotic organisms that live in various environments except extreme conditions.

Kingdom Protista

Mostly unicellular organisms that can be autotrophic or heterotrophic, living in aquatic environments.

Kingdom Fungi

Multicellular heterotrophs that often act as decomposers, characterized by cell walls made of chitin.

Kingdom Plantae

Multicellular autotrophs that perform photosynthesis and have cell walls composed of cellulose.

Kingdom Animalia

Multicellular heterotrophs without cell walls, which consume other organisms.

Scientific naming system

A system where each organism is given a two-part name consisting of genus and species.