Monera, Protista and Fungi

Classifying Organisms
Whittaker in 1969 gave Five kingdom classification:
The basis of classification was:
1. Complexity of Cell: Prokaryotic/ Eukaryotic
2. Complexity of Body structure: Unicellular/
Multicellular
3. Mode of Nutrition: Absorb/ produce/ consume food
Monera- Protista Fungi- Plantae- Animalia

Five Kingdoms
Monera

Single cell
Prokaryotes

Autotrophic
Saprobic

Bacteria

Protista

Single cell
Eukaryotes

All types

Protozoa,
algae

Fungi

Multicellular
Eukaryotes

Saprobic

Plantae

Multicellular
Eukaryotes

Autotrophic

Plants

Animalia

Multicellular
Eukaryotes

Heterotrophic

Animals

Fungi, molds,
mushrooms

Key Points:
-Monerans are the most primitive
organisms- these are prokaryotes?
-The Eukaryotic groups: Protista, Fungi,
Plants?
-Algae is an old group, but still the word
is in use
-Protists are a diverse group
-Fungi are multicellular

Monera
Evolved 3.8 billion years ago.
Includes all prokaryotes. All monerans
are prokaryotes and all prokaryotes are
monerans.
Mostly single cells e.g
bacteria.
Are 1-10 u in size; Have simple body
structures
No nuclear membranes, no membrane
bound organelles, and 70S ribosomes
About 2500 species found in all
environments (Hot waters, ocean floors
where there is no light, salt waters)

Monerans
Cynobacteria (Blue green bacteria)
carry out photosynthesis similar to
higher plants.
These are most
advanced bacteria, have chlorophyll a
like higher plants. The chlorophyll is
contained in thylakoid membranes and
there are no chloroplasts.

Protists
Protists are Eukaryotic, unicellular organisms
evolved 1.6 billion years ago.
Link prokaryotes to multicellular kingdoms;
Includes:
-Photosynthetic organisms such as Euglena,
diatoms
-Saprobic, Fungus like slime moulds
-Heterotrophic Protozoan protists such
amoebae,
plamodium,
trypanosomes,
paramecium etc.
Multicelluar fungi, plants and animals
originated from different groups of protists
independently.

MULTICELLULARITY
Algae became Multicelluar around 1 bya
With evolution of Oxygen in earths
atmosphere and increased availability of
energy to cells, activities became more
complex and increased size evolved.
Increased cell size Lower surface areato-volume ratio
Multicellularity allowed increased size
without these limitations
Specialization of cells was also possible

Fungi
Evolves 400 mya and have 100,000
species.
Fungi are non-motile, heterotrophs that
live as saprobes or parasites and have
filamentous bodies called mycelium.
Fungi are eukaryotic and have usual
organelles, but no chloroplasts.
Have no stem, root or leaves and body
is a simple thallus. Along with algae
these used to be called thallophytes
Fungi are Multicelluar except yeast that
are unicellular. Includes mushrooms

Fungi
Fungi
absorb
food:
they
secrete
enzymes
into
the
substratum,
decompose it and absorb monomer
food.
Alongwith some bacteria, Fungi are the
major decomposers of earth and their
activity is absolutely essential for
recycling of nutrients.

Algae
All aquatic photosynthesizers were called
Algae in 2-kingdom classification.
These
included
blue
green
algae
(Prokaryotes),
diatoms
(Eukaryotic,
unicellular) and green algae (eukaryotic,
multicellular).
In five kingdom classification these were
placed in Monera, Protista and Plantae

EXAMPLES OF ALGAE

ULVA

CLADOPHORA

SPIROGYRA

CHARA

ULOTHRIX
NEXT

Key Concepts:
-Monera has all prokaryotic organisms
-The Eukaryotic groups include Protista,
Fungi, Plants, Animals?
-Algae is an old group, but still the word
is in use
-Protists are a diverse group
-Fungi are multicellular