Classification Biologists have estimated that there are many trillions of organisms on our planet. We need to classify or sort them into groups to help us study them.

Classification Biologists work with a system of five kingdoms. The key differences between kingdoms relate to whether the organisms are unicellular or multicellular, how the organisms obtains their food (nutrition), and whether they are mobile or not (movement).

5 Kingdoms Organisms are put into one of the kingdoms because of difference in movement, nutrition and cell structure.

5 KINGDOMS

KINGDOM MONERA Bacteria Unicellular organisms with a cell structure different to all other living organisms. Do not have a nucleus. Extracellular digestion Decomposers Use flagella for movement

KINGDOM PROTISTA (Usually) Single celled organisms but their cells are more like plant and animal cells because they have a nucleus. Everything that doesn’t fit easily into the other four groups ends up here! Examples: euglena, paramecium, amoeba Some carry out photosynthesis.

KINGDOM FUNGI Fungi are a huge group that can be as little as a single celled yeast. Yeast are used to brew beer, make wine and rise bread. Some fungi are huge (eg. Mushroom). Fungi reproduce using spores and they have a nucleus. Extracellular digestion Decomposers

KINGDOM PLANT Multicellular with nucleus. Immobile but parts move towards water (roots) or sunlight(shoot). Producers as they make their own food.

KINGDOM ANIMAL Multicellular with nucleus. Moving bodies and parts Internal digestion of food Consumers (=cannot make their own food)

Compare and contrast: Plant and Animal Kingdom Similarity Differences Both multicellular Both cells have nucleus Both their body parts move Plant cells have chloroplast Animals can’t make their own food but plants can. Animals can move freely but plants can’t

Compare and contrast: Plant and Fungi Kingdoms Similarity Differences Both multicelullar Both immobile Fungi reproduces with spores but plant reproduces with seeds. Plants can make their own food but fungi cannot. Fungi digests food by extracellular digestion.

classification levels Related species are put into a genus. Similar genera are put into a family. Similar families are put into an order. Similar orders are put into a class. Similar classes are put into a phylum, and finally related phyla go into a kingdom.

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species

Binomial System An organism’s classification should include a clear description, an accurate diagram, and its unique name (denoted by the genus and species).

Mystacina tuberculata Common name: Short tailed bat Scientific name: Mystacina tuberculata GENUS SPECIES