Kingdoms & Domains

Five kingdom system

Plantae

Animalia

Prokaryotae

Protocista

Fungi

Cell type

Eukaryotic

Eukaryotic

Prokaryotic

Eukaryotic

Eukaryotic

Cellular organisation

Multicellular

Multicellular

Unicellular

Unicellular or simple multicellular

Unicellular or multicellular, with a body made of hyphae

Nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles

Present, including chloroplasts

Present, no chloroplasts

Absent

Present, sometimes including chloroplasts

Present, no chloroplasts

Cell walls

Yes, made of cellulose

None

Yes, often made of peptidoglycan

Variable

Yes, made of chitin

Nutrition

Autotrophic (photosynthetic)

Heterotrophic

Autotrophic, heterotrophic, or parasitic

Autotrophic, heterotrophic, or parasitic

Saprophytic, absorb dissolved organic nutrients from dead matter

Storage of sugars

Starch

Glycogen

Glycogen

Variable

Glycogen

Reproduction

Use seeds or spores

Variable

Binary fission

Variable

Spores

The three domain system

  • Older classification ssytesms become outdated when new molecular and genetic data arise.

  • This means that Taxonomy is periodically updated and reorganised to reflect progressing scientific knowledge

Domain Bacteria

  • Contains the kingdom eubacteria only

  • Found in all environments

  • prokaryotic unicellular organisms

  • distinct cell membrane lipids

  • have peptidogylcan (murein) in their cell walls

  • unique RNA polymerase enzyme

Domain Archaea

  • Contains the kingdom archaebacteria only

  • found in extreme environments

  • Prokaryotic unicellular organisms

  • Have histone so gene and protein synthesis is more similar to eukarya than bacteria

  • No peptidogylcan in their cell walls.

  • Differnet cell membranes that contain fatty acids bound to gylceral by ether linkages

  • Have a more complex form of RNA polymerase than bacteria

Domain Eukarya

  • Contains 4 kingdoms

    • Plantae: Comprises all plants, which are vital for oxygen production and food supply.

    • Protista: A diverse group including microorganisms and algae, acting as a bridge between plants, animals, and fungi.

    • Fungi: Consists of mushrooms and molds, known for decomposing organic material.

    • Animalia: Encompasses all animals, characterized by their ability to move and complex behaviors.

  • All have nucli and membrane-bound organelles