Classification of Organisms

Diversity in Living Organisms • Class 9 Science • NCERT • CBSE

Living organisms are classified into five kingdoms: Monera (prokaryotes like bacteria), Protista (unicellular eukaryotes), Fungi (saprophytes), Plantae (photosynthetic), and Animalia (heterotrophs). Ernst Haeckel proposed three kingdoms; R.H. Whittaker proposed the five-kingdom classification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the five kingdoms of classification?
R.H. Whittaker's five-kingdom classification: (1) Monera — prokaryotes without nucleus (bacteria, cyanobacteria); (2) Protista — unicellular eukaryotes (Amoeba, Paramecium, algae); (3) Fungi — eukaryotic saprophytes with chitin cell walls (mushrooms, moulds, yeast); (4) Plantae — multicellular autotrophs with cellulose cell walls (all plants); (5) Animalia — multicellular heterotrophs without cell walls (all animals including humans).
What is the difference between gymnosperms and angiosperms?
Gymnosperms and angiosperms are both seed-bearing plants. Key difference: Gymnosperms have naked seeds — not enclosed in a fruit (gymnos = naked, sperma = seed). Examples: Pine, Cycas, Deodar. Angiosperms have enclosed seeds — seeds are inside a fruit formed from the ovary (angio = vessel). They are flowering plants. Examples: Mango, Rose, Wheat. Angiosperms are the most evolved and diverse plant group.
What is the basis of classification used in NCERT Class 9?
The basis includes: (1) Whether cells are prokaryotic or eukaryotic (no nucleus vs nucleus); (2) Whether organism is unicellular or multicellular; (3) Presence/composition of cell wall (cellulose in plants, chitin in fungi, absent in animals); (4) Mode of nutrition (autotrophic via photosynthesis, or heterotrophic); (5) Level of body organisation (cells, tissues, organs, systems). These characters determine which kingdom an organism belongs to.

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