Biological classification

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Designed
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Edustudy point
Biological classification

Biological classification is defined as the process of grouping the organisms according

to certain similarities
Linnaeus proposed the two kingdoms of classification. He classified organism into
animal kingdom as animalia and plant kingdom as plantae. There were certain
limitations associated with two kingdom classification such as- it does not
differentiate between eukaryotes and prokaryotes, unicellular and multicellular
organisms, and photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic organisms.

Five kingdom classifications

R.h. whittaker proposed the five kingdoms of

classification. The five kingdoms classification is as
follows monera, protista, fungi, plantae, and
animalia. The classification was based on thallus
organization, cell structure, mode of nutrition,
phylogenetic relationship, and reproduction.

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Kingdom monera
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The most important members of monera are bacteria.
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All organisms present in this kingdom are prokaryotes.

It includes bacteria as well as blue-green algae. They
can be present in extreme habitats such as hot springs,
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deserts, snow as well as deep oceans.

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They are divided into Archaebacteria and Eubacteria.

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1. Archaebacteria

Archaebacteria can be thermoacidophiles (hot springs), halophiles (survive in high salt

concentration), and methanogens (marshy areas). There structure of cell wall is
different from other monerans. Methanogens are found in the gut of some ruminants
such as buffaloes and cows. This helps in production of biogas from the dung of the
animal

2. Eubacteria
They are referred as "True bacteria". The presence of motile flagellum and a
rigid cell wall characterize them. It includes cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
They are like plants in having chlorophyll a. So, known as photosynthetic
autotrophs.

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Cyanobacteria are unicellular, filamentous algae. They form
colonies which are surrounded by gelatinous sheath. Some
have specialized structures known as heterocyst which helps
in fixing nitrogen. For example, Nostoc.

Fig.3. Nostoc

Bacteria can reproduce asexually by fission. They can also reproduce through spores
under unfavorable conditions. Monera also includes Mycoplasma. They do not have
cell wall and survive in anaerobic conditions.

Mycoplasma are the smallest living organisms known.

Kingdom Protista:

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Single celled eukaryotes are kept under Protista. They are mostly aquatic in nature.
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They are unicellular, eukaryotic organisms. They have true nucleus, bounded by
nuclear membrane. They can move by cilia as well as via flagella. Respiration can be
both aerobic as well as anaerobic. Similarly, reproduction can be sexual as well as
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asexual.

They are divided into Chrysophytes, Dinoflagellates, Euglenoids, Slime moulds and
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Protozoans.
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1. Chrysophytes

It consists of diatoms and golden algae. They can live in

freshwater water as well as marine water. Mostly they are
photosynthetic. Their cell wall is impregnated with silica.
They are the major producers in the oceans. Mostly they are
unicellular flagellates. But some are amoeboid.

2. Dinoflagellates

Dinoflagellates are marine and photosynthetic organisms. They can be of different

colors such as yellow, brown, red, or blue in color. The color is due to the presence of
different colored pigments present in the cells of the dinoflagellates. The cell wall is
made up of cellulose. For example, Gonyaulax catenella, Noctiluca scintillans

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3. Euglenoids

Euglenoids are freshwater organisms that are found in stagnant water. They are
surrounded by a protein rich layer known as pellicle. They have one short flagella and
one long flagella. They can behave as autotrophic as well as
heterotrophic organisms. For example, Euglena.

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Most of the euglenoids have chloroplast so they can synthesize
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their own food. The reserve food material found is euglenoids
are Paramylon (carbohydrate).
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4. Slime moulds
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They are saprophytic in nature. Under favorable conditions, they form aggregates
which are known as Plasmodium. During unfavorable condition, they form fruiting
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bodies with spores. They possess true cell walls. They are extremely resistart to adverse
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conditions.

5. Protozoan like protists

They are heterotrophs. They can live as predators as well as parasites. There are four
major types of protozoans found

• Amoeboid protozoans are found in fresh water, moist soil, or sea water. They
possess pseudopodia for engulfing the food particles, such as Amoeba
• Flagellated protozoans can be free-living or parasitic. This group of organisms
are responsible for different parasitic diseases. For example, Trypanosoma
causes sleeping sickness.

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 • Ciliated protozoans possess thousands of cilia. The movement of cilia helps in
propelling forward or backward. It also helps in obtaining food from the outside.
For example, Paramecium

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• Sporozoans form reproductive cells which are known as spores. They are

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parasitic and pathogenic in nature. For example, Plasmodium species causes
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Malaria. Reproduction can be asexual or sexual.
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Kingdom Fungi

Fungi are heterotrophic in nature. Some acts on dead organic matter and so known
as saprophytes. Some can feed on living organisms so known as parasites. Some fungi
can live in mutual relationship with other organisms such as algae, they are known
as lichens. Such fungi are known as symbionts.

Reproduction in fungi can occur by budding, fragmentation, and fission. Asexual

reproduction occurs by means of spores known as conidia, zoospores or
sporangiospores.

Sexual reproduction occurs by oospores, ascospores and basidiospores. There are three
steps of sexual cycle in fungi-the first step is the fusion of the protoplasm which is
known as plasmogamy. Then, the fusion of nuclei occurs which is known as
karyogamy. This results in the formation of the zygote. Then finally, the meiosis of
zygote results in the formation of the spores.

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The vegetative part of the fungus is known as mycelium. The network of hyphae is
known as mycelium. During sexual cycle of fungi, two haploid hyphae fuses to form
diploid cells. Kingdom fungi is divided into different classes-

• Phycomycetes (lower fungi)- Asexual reproduction occurs by motile spores

known as zoospores and non motile spores are known as aplanospores. Spores
are produced inside the sporangium. Fusion of gametes give rise to zygospore.
Mycelium is coenocytic (multiple nucleus) and multicellular. For example, such
as Mucor, Rhizopus, Albugo.

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• Ascomycetes (sac fungi)-They can be saprophytic as well as parasitic, Asexual

reproduction occurs by conidia Sexual reproduction occurs through ascospores.
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Branched and septate mycelium is found in Ascomycetes. For example,

Penicillium, Aspergillus, Claviceps etc.
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• Basidiomycetes (club fungi)-Vegetative reproduction occurs through

fragmentation. Absence of sex organs. Plasmogamy between two vegetative or
somatic cells results in the formation of basidium Basidium undergo karyogamy
and meiosis to form four basidiospores. For example, Agaricus (mushrooms),
Ustilago (smut) etc.

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 • Deuteromycetes are commonly known as imperfect fungi as they do not have
sexual reproduction at any stage of the life. The asexual reproduction occurs
by conidia Mycelium is septate and branched. For example, Alternaria,
Trichoderma etc.

• Zygomycetes (conjugation fungi) are primitive group of fungi. Asexual

reproduction occurs by non motile sporangiospores. For example, Rhizopus.

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Kingdom Plantae
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It includes all photosynthetic, multicellular, eukaryotic plants. Characteristics of
members of Plantae are as follows -
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o Mostly they are eukaryotic in nature.

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o The main pigment present is chlorophyll

o Their cell wall is made up of cellulose.
o Photosynthesis helps in the synthesis of the food.
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o Reproduction can be sexual as well as asexual.

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o They exhibit the phenomenon of alternation of generation, that is, diploid

sporophyte and haploid gametophyte.

Kingdom Animalia

They are heterotrophic, eukaryotic organisms. Some of the characteristics of members

of Animalia are as follows

o They are multicellular organisms with variable size.

o They have well developed organ system such as skeleton system, circulatory
system, respiratory system etc.
o They are bilaterally symmetrical
o They have well developed locomotory organs.
o Respiration occurs by gills, book lungs, book gills, skin, lungs etc.

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 o Membrane bound cell organelles with nucleus bounded by a nuclear membrane.
o Circulation occurs via blood, blood vessels, and heart.
o Reproduction occurs by the formation of the haploid gametes. The fusion of
gametes give rise to a new diploid organism.
o Kidneys are the main respiratory organs.

Viruses:

They are acellular structures and therefore do not find a place in Whittaker's five
kingdom classification. They consist of a nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) that is
surrounded by a protein coat. They can grow and multiply only inside a host cell
Outside the host cell the viruses exist as crystals. They cause diseases and damage to
the host. Examples of common viruses are the viruses causing common cod, influenza,
polio, AIDS, etc.

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Viroids:
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They are the smallest structures known that are capable of infection. They consist
only the nucleic acid without the protein coat.
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Lichens:
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They are symbiotic associations of algae and fungi. The algal partner is autotrophic
and synthesizes and provides food. The fungal partner offers protection and shelter.

KHATAM