What is the Five kingdom classification system?
- R.H. Whittaker put forth the five kingdom classification system which helped classify various organisms easily. The five kingdoms were:
(i) Kingdom Monera
- This kingdom harbours a variety of microorganisms which belong to the prokaryotic category.
- Cells, in this kingdom, do not have a well-defined membrane system and lack a proper nucleus and membrane-bound
- The genetic material in these organisms is scattered throughout the cytoplasm and is called the Nucleoid. The other organelles are also scattered throughout the
- Subtypes of this kingdom include archaebacteria and eubacteria.
- Archaea are the most primitive forms found even in extreme environmental conditions like hot springs and the Dead
- Eubacteria are the true forms of bacteria that are present everywhere around us. These are the beneficial ones as well as the harmful parasitic
- So, all the bacteria, in general, are included in this
     Prokaryotic Cell        Archaebacteria    Eubacteria
- Kingdom Protista
- This kingdom contains organisms which are unicellular and
- Protists have a well-defined cell system with a proper membrane-bound nucleus and organelles as
- Apart from the usual organelles, protists also have specialised structures like the single flagellum or several cilia which help in locomotion of the single
- Unicellular organisms like the amoeba, paramecium, diatoms and others are included in
this kingdom.
 Prokaryotic Cell            Protists
- Kingdom Fungi
- This kingdom includes all the fungi. They are microscopic organisms and
- They have a well-defined cell wall which is usually made up of a complex sugar called
Chitin. The cells are generally multicellular at certain stages in their lives.
- This typical structure of a fungus shows the presence of a bag-like structure called
Sporangium containing the fungal spores.
- The fungal stalk is made up of thin thread-like structures called hyphae. These hyphae, together, form a network which is called the Mycelium.
- The fungal body is usually divided into three parts – head, stalk, and
- Some fungi also have a symbiotic association with other
For example, lichen is a symbiotic association of fungi and algae.
     Fungi                      Lichens
- Kingdom Plantae
- This kingdom harbours the simple as well as complex
- They are multicellular organisms and eukaryotic and are capable of preparing their own food.
           Plants
- Kingdom Animalia
- This kingdom consists of complex, multicellular organisms –
- They have a very complex body and are considered as one of the highly evolved organisms among
          Animals