The Kingdom Systems

Monera Single celled, microscopic prokaryotic organisms. Play vital role as decomposers, breaking down tissue of dead organisms into simpler compounds that serve as nutrients for bacteria and are eventually reused as nutrients by plants. Although bacteria can cause diseases in humans, not all bacteria are bad. Bacteria cells Surrounded by a membrane but have no distinct nucleus or other internal parts enclosed by membranes.

Protista (protists) Mostly single celled eukaryotic organisms. Some cause human diseases such as malaria and sleeping sickness. Protists include: diatoms, dinoflagellates, amoebas, golden brown and yellow-green algae, and protozoans.

Fungi multicellular eukaryotic Heterotrophic Many are decomposers Ex. Mushrooms, molds, mildews, and yeasts

Plantae (plants) Multicellular Eukaryotic photosynthetic Have: Cell Walls of cellulose Central water vacuole Chloroplasts

Animalia (animals) Many celled, eukaryotic organisms. Heterotrophic: make their own food Two types: Vertebrates-animals with backbones and a brain protected by skull bones (ex: fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) Invertebrates-have no spine (ex: sponges, jellyfish, worms, arthropods (insects, shrimp, spiders), mollusks (snails, clams, octopuses), echinoderms (sea urchins and sea stars)