In scientific classifications, kingdoms are the second highest level of taxon of organisms; domains are the highest level, followed by kingdoms, which are divided into smaller groups.
There is some disagreement as to how many kingdoms there are but on the whole, scientists have divided all living creatures into one of five kingdoms; which kingdom any creature belongs to depends upon its features and characteristics. For example:
Those belonging to the Kingdom Monera (monerans) all have just one cell and do not have a true nucleus (prokaryote), which means that genetic material is scattered and is not enclosed by a membrane. Examples are bacteria and cyanobacteria. Some are able to move and some are not, in the same way that some are able to make their own food, and some cannot. Those that can move are called flagellum; those that can make their own food are called autotrophic, while those who can’t are called heterotrophic.
Kingdom Protista (protists) also have just one cell, but they have a true nucleus and are called eukaryote. While some cannot move, others can and these are cilia, flagella and pseudopodia. Examples are amoeba, diatom, euglena, paramecium and some algae; some are autotrophic and some are heterotrophic.
Kingdom Fungi are multi-cellular but they have no nuclei, and on the whole are unable to move from place to place. They are heterotrophic, and examples are mushrooms, mold, puffballs, shelf or bracket fungus and yeast.
Kingdom Plantae (or plants) are multi-cellular, and do have nuclei. They are unable to move and are autotrophic. Examples are flowering and non-flowering plants, multi-cellular algae, mosses, ferns and trees.
Kingdom Animalia (animals) are multi-cellular and have nuclei. They are able to move and are heterotrophic. Examples are sponge, jellyfish, insects, fish, reptiles, birds, dogs, cats, horses, tigers and human beings.
There is some disagreement as to how many kingdoms there are but on the whole, scientists have divided all living creatures into one of five kingdoms; which kingdom any creature belongs to depends upon its features and characteristics. For example:
Those belonging to the Kingdom Monera (monerans) all have just one cell and do not have a true nucleus (prokaryote), which means that genetic material is scattered and is not enclosed by a membrane. Examples are bacteria and cyanobacteria. Some are able to move and some are not, in the same way that some are able to make their own food, and some cannot. Those that can move are called flagellum; those that can make their own food are called autotrophic, while those who can’t are called heterotrophic.
Kingdom Protista (protists) also have just one cell, but they have a true nucleus and are called eukaryote. While some cannot move, others can and these are cilia, flagella and pseudopodia. Examples are amoeba, diatom, euglena, paramecium and some algae; some are autotrophic and some are heterotrophic.
Kingdom Fungi are multi-cellular but they have no nuclei, and on the whole are unable to move from place to place. They are heterotrophic, and examples are mushrooms, mold, puffballs, shelf or bracket fungus and yeast.
Kingdom Plantae (or plants) are multi-cellular, and do have nuclei. They are unable to move and are autotrophic. Examples are flowering and non-flowering plants, multi-cellular algae, mosses, ferns and trees.
Kingdom Animalia (animals) are multi-cellular and have nuclei. They are able to move and are heterotrophic. Examples are sponge, jellyfish, insects, fish, reptiles, birds, dogs, cats, horses, tigers and human beings.
