Biological classification 3

THE FIVE-KINGDOM SYSTEM:

Robert Harding Whittaker, an American taxonomist was introduced this system of classification in 1969.  The five kingdoms include: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. His classification was based on the following criteria:

 

Robert Harding Whittaker

Criteria for Five Kingdoms classification:

Classification of this system was done on the basis of the following criteria:

a)   Complexity of cell structure

b)   Complexity of organism’s body

c)    Mode of nutrition

d)   Thallus organisation

e)   Phylogenetic relationships

1.   He recognised two levels of organisation – Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. Eukaryotes are further subdivided into unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes.  The methods of nutrition were heterotrophic and autotrophic.

 Levels of organisation

 

Modes of nutrition

Five kingdom classification - Tabular form

 

                           

      

 Fungi

•                   Courtesy by Google images