Classification is the grouping of living organisms based on their similarities and differences. It makes the study of millions of species easier and is a regular exam topic.
Five Kingdom Classification
R. H. Whittaker proposed the five-kingdom system in 1969. The five kingdoms are:
- Monera: bacteria (no true nucleus).
- Protista: single-celled organisms like Amoeba.
- Fungi: yeast, mushrooms.
- Plantae: all plants.
- Animalia: all animals.
Binomial Nomenclature
Carolus Linnaeus is the father of taxonomy. He gave the system of binomial nomenclature, where each organism has a two-part scientific name: genus and species. Example: humans are Homo sapiens.
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Hierarchy of Classification
The order from largest to smallest group is: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Species is the basic unit of classification.
Important Facts
- The scientific name of the tiger is Panthera tigris.
- The scientific name of mango is Mangifera indica.
- Viruses are not placed in the five kingdoms.
- Plants and animals are eukaryotes.
Quick Revision Points
- Five-kingdom system was given by Whittaker (1969).
- The five kingdoms include Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.
- Linnaeus is the father of taxonomy.
- Scientific name has genus + species.
- Humans are Homo sapiens.
- Species is the basic unit of classification.
- Bacteria belong to kingdom Monera.