PBOT111-Plant-Classification-and-Systematics-Part-2

SUPER KINGDOMS OF LIFE

• Prokaryotes

  • Archaea

  • Bacteria

• Eukarya

  • Eukaryotes

KINGDOMS OF LIFE

Archaebacteria

• Prokaryotic

• Unicellular

• Characteristics:

  • No nuclear membrane

  • Lacks chloroplast

  • Cell wall present (non-cellulosic)

  • Nutritional modes: Heterotrophic or chemoautotrophic

  • Many are extremophiles

  • Do not form spores

Eubacteria

• Prokaryotic

• Unicellular

• Characteristics:

  • No nuclear membrane or membrane-bound organelles

  • Lacks chloroplast

  • Cell wall present (peptidoglycan)

  • Some species produce spores

Protista

• Eukaryotic

• Mostly unicellular

• Characteristics:

  • Has a nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles

  • Some contain chloroplasts

  • Some have cell walls (cellulosic or varied types)

  • Nutrition: Autotrophic and heterotrophic (by absorption and phagocytosis)

Fungi (Myceteae)

• Eukaryotic

• Unicellular or multicellular

• Characteristics:

  • Has a nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles

  • Lacks chloroplasts

  • Heterotrophic nutrition by absorption

  • Cell wall present (chitin & cellulose)

Plantae

• Eukaryotic

• Multicellular

• Characteristics:

  • Has a nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles

  • Contains chloroplasts

  • Autotrophic through photosynthesis

  • Cell wall present (cellulose)

Animalia

• Eukaryotic

• Multicellular

• Characteristics:

  • Has a nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles

  • Heterotrophic through ingestion

  • Lacks a cell wall

TYPES OF PLANTS

Non-Vascular Plants

• Characteristics:

  • Lacks vascular or conducting tissues

  • Thallophytes

  • Contains chlorophyll and performs photosynthesis

  • Many are motile and able to move

PLANT-LIKE PROTISTS

Unicellular Algae

Division Pyrrophyta - Gonyaulax

• Stored food: Starch, fats, oils

• Some are photosynthetic; others are heterotrophic

• Toxins produced can interfere with nerve and muscle membranes
  
  
  

Division Euglenophyta – Trachelomonas

• Stored food: Paramylon

• Photosynthetic but can also be heterotrophic

• Indicator of pollution and eutrophication in freshwater

• Good indicator of iron presence in industrial waste (lorica)

Division Chrysophyta – Diatoms

• Stored food: Chrysolaminarin, fats, oils

• Predominant pigments: Carotenes, xanthophylls

• Applications: Used in polish for silverware, metals, and automobiles

• Primary food supply of the sea (Grass of the Sea)

Multicellular Algae

Division Rodophyta – Galaxaura

• Stored food: Floridean starch

• Pigments: Chlorophyll, phycobilins (reddish accessory pigment)

• Produces agar

• Applications: Prevents disintegration of canned fish and meat, stabilizes various food products

Division Phaeophyta – Padina

• Stored food: Mannitol and laminarin

• Pigments: Chlorophyll a & c, fucoxanthin

• Importance: Direct food source and in cosmetics industry (algin)

Division Chlorophyta – Caulerpa

• Pigments: Chlorophyll a & b

• Stored food: Starch

• Uses: Human food and a good source of vitamin E

SUPER KINGDOMS OF LIFE

Prokaryotes

• Archaea

  • Characteristics:

    • Unicellular organisms that thrive in extreme environments including hot springs and salt lakes.

    • Cell wall composed of pseudopeptidoglycan, differing from that of bacteria.

    • Nutritional modes: Many archaea are extremophiles and live in environments with extreme temperatures, salinities, and pH levels.

    • Metabolic strategies include methanogenesis and sulfur reduction.

    • Reproduce asexually through binary fission, budding, or fragmentation.

• Bacteria

  • Characteristics:

    • Unicellular, diverse group that can be found in a variety of environments.

    • No nuclear membrane, but possess ribosomes and DNA organized in a singular, circular chromosome.

    • Cell wall primarily made of peptidoglycan, essential for structural integrity.

    • Some species can form spores, which are highly resistant to UV light and desiccation, enhancing their survival in adverse conditions.

Eukarya

Eukaryotes

• General Characteristics:

  • Multicellular or unicellular organisms, possessing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

  • More complex cellular structure compared to prokaryotes, allowing for compartmentalization of cellular processes.

KINGDOMS OF LIFE

• Archaebacteria

  • Characteristics:

    • Comprise ancient forms of life; many are extremophiles that survive in extreme conditions.

    • Evolved biochemically and genetically distinct from true bacteria.

    • Integral in biotechnology and ecological balance, particularly in carbon and nitrogen cycles.

• Eubacteria

  • Characteristics:

    • Categorized into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on cell wall structure, affecting antibiotic sensitivity.

    • Capable of diverse metabolic activities including nitrogen fixation, fermentation, and photosynthesis.

• Protista

  • Characteristics:

    • Display greater cellular organization than prokaryotes, often involving complex life cycles.

    • A critical link in the food chain, particularly in aquatic ecosystems; some are pivotal in oxygen production.

• Fungi (Myceteae)

  • Characteristics:

    • Essential decomposers in ecosystems; play a major role in nutrient cycling and soil health.

    • Heterotrophic nutrition achieved through absorption; some form mutualistic relationships with plants (mycorrhizae).

• Plantae

  • Characteristics:

    • Dominant producers in ecosystems; convert solar energy through photosynthesis.

    • Key roles in oxygen production, carbon fixation, and as a primary food source for herbivores.

• Animalia

  • Characteristics:

    • Highly diverse group ranging from simple sponges to complex mammals; exhibit various reproductive strategies including sexual and asexual reproduction.

    • Display complex behaviors and are integral to many ecological systems.

TYPES OF PLANTS

• Non-Vascular Plants

  • Characteristics:

    • Do not have specialized vascular tissues; rely on diffusion for water and nutrient transport.

    • Often found in moist environments; examples include mosses and liverworts.

PLANT-LIKE PROTISTS

• Unicellular Algae

  • Division Pyrrophyta (Gonyaulax)

    • Stored food: Starch, fats, oils

    • Can produce harmful algal blooms (red tides) that affect marine life and human health.

  • Division Euglenophyta (Trachelomonas)

    • Stored food: Paramylon

    • Exhibit both plant (chlorophyll) and animal-like characteristics (motility); can adapt to varying environments.

  • Division Chrysophyta (Diatoms)

    • Stored food: Chrysolaminarin, fats, oils

    • Possess silica shells that contribute to sediment formation; used as indicators of environmental change.

• Multicellular Algae

  • Division Rodophyta (Galaxaura)

    • Stored food: Floridean starch

    • Utilized in food production and pharmaceuticals (agar).

  • Division Phaeophyta (Padina)

    • Stored food: Mannitol and laminarin

    • Used as a food source and for extracts utilized in the cosmetic and food industries.

  • Division Chlorophyta (Caulerpa)

    • Stored food: Starch

    • Known for its high vitamin E content and potential in aquaculture as a feed source.