SC.912.L.15.

6 Discuss distinguishing characteristics of the domains and water and carbon dioxide using the energy available in sunlight. Plants are complex
kingdoms of living organisms. multicellular organisms that possess chloroplasts, carry out photosynthesis and their
SC.912.L.15.5 Explain the reasons for changes in how organisms are cells have a cell wall.
classified.
All of the organisms in the world are assembled into three domains and six kingdoms: Kingdom Fungi: mushrooms, molds, yeasts, mildew: Fungi have multicellular
Domain: Bacteria, Kingdom Bacteria filaments that absorb nutrients (they absorb their food). Fungi is the only Kingdom with
Domain: Archaea, Kingdom Archaea these specialized multicellular filaments. Have external digestion: they secrete digestive
Domain: Eukarya: Kingdom Protista enzymes outside themselves and absorb whatever the enzymes break down. Fungi do
Kingdom Fungi not photosynthesize. Fungi are specialized to be decomposers. A mushroom is a
Kingdom Plantae reproductive structure. It produces spores, but the bulk of the fungus is out of
Kingdom Animalia view. Fungi spread by spores. We as humans in Animalia, are more closely related to
Members of the Bacteria and Archaea are all prokaryotes (before a nucleus). No the Fungi than we are to the Plantae! Many fungi produce antibiotics which kill bacteria.
nucleus. Single circle of DNA. They are unicellular, made of one cell. Prokaryote cells The first antibiotic Penicillin was discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming who isolated it
are small and simple. form a mold.

Kingdom Bacteria: Kingdom Animalia: Includes: birds, mammals, reptiles, crabs, worms, fish, jellyfish,
Bacteria are the most abundant organisms on earth. Some use the process of aerobic starfish, etc. The Animalia are complex, diverse and have excellent mobility. Animal cells
(with oxygen) and other use the process of anaerobic (without oxygen) respiration. Some lack a cell wall and do not photosynthesize. There are several levels of complexity in the
eubacteria carry out photosynthesis. Some use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis as Animalia. The simplest animals are the sponges. These have specialized cells that carry
plants do, but other eubacteria use other organic compounds as a source of carbon for out a single task, but do not have evolved tissues. The first group to show tissues is the
photosynthesis. jellyfish family (Cnidaria Jellyfish). Animalia are also classified by how they birth their
young, such as laying eggs compared to live birth seen in mammals, if they have a
Kingdom Archaea (“Ancient bacteria”—not a good name as they aren’t any more backbone, and if they are herbivores or carnivores.
ancient than the Eubacteria)
Archaea are less widespread than Bacteria. Differ from Eubacteria in (1) details of cell How Classification Has Changed:
wall structure. Cell wall protects the organism. Many Archaebacteria are adapted to As we have discovered more about genetics the classification system has been changed
extreme environments. Archaebacteria more closely related to the Eukarya than are the to reflect current studies. While physical similarities can show a relationship, genetic
Bacteria. similarities are more accurate. For example, this Red Panda may look like a raccoon we
would see in the states but it is actually much more closely related to the Giant Panda in
Domain Eukarya: Eukaryotes: DNA is arranged in chromosomes in a nucleus. The Asia.
eukaryotes include both single-celled (unicellular) and many-celled (multicellular)
organisms. Cells larger and more complex than cells of Prokaryotes. Contain organelles.
Organelles are structures in cells specialized for particular tasks. E.g. Mitochondria and
Chloroplasts. Mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free living bacteria. Over time
they came to live inside the eukaryotic cells and established a symbiotic relationship.

Kingdom Protista: Protista are the oldest of the Eukarya. Most organisms in the
kingdom Protista are unicellular and photosynthetic (can obtain food from the sun).
However, seaweeds algae are multicellular, but do not have specialized cells. Examples
include: Algae and Amoeba. Fill in the chart on the back using your notes
Kingdom Plantae: trees, grasses, bushes, flowers: Plants were the first organisms to
colonize the land. They are multicellular and autotrophic (can produce their own food by Domain it is Kingdom Name: Characteristics:
photosynthesis). Being on land requires the ability to collect and conserve water. Cells located in:
are surrounded by a rigid cell wall that is composed of cellulose. The cellulose provides Archaea  Can live in extreme environments
support for the plant. Key ability of plants is photosynthesis: ability to make sugars from
  4. Scientists isolate this organism from marsh water.
Based on this
 Unicellular illustration, the organism
 Photosynthetic would most likely be
 classified as a
Eukarya A. protist. C.
plant.
B. bacterium. D.
 Absorb nutrients from fungus
__________________
Fungi __________________

5. In what domain would you classify a newly discovered organism with
 Autotrophic (which means photosynthetic organelles?
__________________________________ a. Archaea c. Bacteria
__________________________________ b. Protists d. Monera
__________________________________)
 Unicellular or Multicelluar?
Eukarya  6. What is the best explanation for the continual changes in the
classification system of organisms?

a) All organisms struggle for existence and become extinct.

b) All organisms compete to be at the top of the food chain.
 Do not photosynthesize c) Technological advances have allowed scientists to better
 compare organisms.
Eukarya  d) More species have been discovered, but scientists have not
analyzed all the data.
 Some use aerobic respiration while
others use anaerobic. 7. Students research unicellular, prokaryotic organisms that live in
 Very diverse Kingdom
harsh environments such as volcanic hot springs, brine pools, and

anaerobic black organic mud. Which of these groups are the
students most likely researching?

1. If you come across an unusual single-celled organism, what parts of the cell a) Protista
would you study in order to classify it into one of the 3 domains? b) Archaebacteria
c) Eubacteria
2. Explain why it is difficult to classify some bacteria and archaea from each other. d) Plantae
3. Why is the classification of life considered a work in progress?