Study Guide for 6 Kingdoms Quiz

8 Levels of Classification

Scientists classify organisms into 8 levels of classification.

Domain largest level: contains the most organisms There are three domains

KingdomArchaea –includes all archaebacteria

Phylum

FamilyBacteria–includes all eubacteria

Class

OrderEukaryota- animals, plants, protists, fungi

Family

Genus

Species most specific level contains one organism

Weuse the pneumonic: Didn’t KingPhillip Came Over ForGrape Soda to remember the 8 levels of classification.

Scientists place organisms in the kingdom they belong by looking at several characteristics:

  1. Ifthe organism has prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. If the cells in the organism do not have anucleus, then that organism has prokaryotic cells. If the cells in an organism have a nucleus then the organism has eukaryotic cells.
  2. If the organism is a producer, consumer or decomposer: does this organism make its own food (producer), does it feed on other organisms (consumer) or does it feed off of dead organisms (decomposer)?
  3. Is the organism unicellular or multicellular. Is the organism single celled or is it many celled?

4. If an organisms reproduces asexually or sexually.

5. If an organism moves or not.

There are 6 kingdoms that all organisms can be organized into and they are…

Archaebacteria: Prokaryotic, unicellular “ancient” bacteria that have been around for 3 billion years and live in harsh environments like hot springs and volcanoes. Examples include: methane maker, salt lover, heat lover

Eubacteria: the majority of different types of bacteria are classified as eubacteria. They can live in soil, water and the human body and examples include: E-Coli, salmonella, MRSA and streptococcus.Some food borne illnesses are caused bybacteria. Eubacteria reproduce asexually by a process called binary fission. Some bacteria can even form a protective coating called an endospore to help them survive harsh conditions. Bacteria have three shapes; spirilla bacilliandcocci.

Protists: are eukaryotes thatdo not fit totally in any other group, called the “odds and ends” group. These organisms may have characteristics of plants, animals or fungus but do not fit well in those groups so they are considered protists.

Fungi: eukaryotes that are heterotrophic butare decomposers because they absorb nutrients from dead organisms and organic matter to get energy. Examples of fungi are molds, mildew and mushrooms.

Plant: Producersthat use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis.

Animal: Consumers that eat plants and other animals for food and most move.

The characteristics of the six kingdoms:

Kingdom / Prokaryotic/
Eukaryotic / Heterotrophic/
Autotrophic / Unicellular/
Multicellular / Type of
Reproduction / Move / Examples
Archaebacteria / Prokaryotic / either / Unicellular / Asexual / Some / Heat lovers
Salt lovers
Eubacteria / Prokayotic / either / Unicellular / Asexual / Some / E. Coli
Strept
Protists / Eukaryotic / either / either / Asexual and
Sexual / Some / Seaweed
Amoeba
paramecium
Fungi / Eukaryotic / Heterotrophic / either / Asexual and
Sexual / NO / Yeast
Mushroom
mildew
Plant / Eukaryotic / Autotrophic / Multicellular / Mainly Sexual / NO / Rose
apple tree
grass
Animal / Eukaryotic / Heterotrophic / Multicellular / Mainly Sexual / YES / Insects
mammals