1.6 The Five Kingdoms of Life
1.6 The Five Kingdoms of Life
1.6 The Five Kingdoms of Life
Living things are identified and categorised on the basis of their body design in
relation to their form and function. So, the classification of life forms is closely
related to their evolution whereas living organisms have been classified variously
according to different criteria. In the same Whittaker in 1959 classified living
organisms into following five kingdoms or broad categories.
3. Kingdom Fungi
• Non-green plants which are not photosynthetic. They are heterotrophic and
eukaryotic organisms. Some fungi are parasites can draw nutrients from living cells
of their host- plants like Puccinia, Ustilago etc. Some are decomposers like
Penicillium etc and saprophytes derive their nourishment from dead remains of
plants and animals.
4. Kingdom Plantae
• Plastids are present also some have photosynthetic pigments called chloroplasts.
• Autotrophic nutrition.
5. Kingdom Animalia
• Heterotrophic nutrition.
• Animals have organisation of cellular, tissue, organs and organ system level.