Biological Classification
Systems of Classification:
• Identification of differences among organisms and placing them into groups that reflect their most significant features and relationship is called biological classification.
• Biological classification was first proposed by Aristotle who divided plants into herbs, shrubs and trees. Animals were classified into with RBC’s and without RBC’s.
Two kingdom classification:
It consists of artificial and natural system of classification.
• Artificial system of classification was proposed by Linnaeus.
• The first natural system of classification was proposed by Schimper (1879) followed by Eichler (1883).
Five kingdom classification:
(1) Given by R. H. Whittaker (1969).
(2) The five kingdom classification of Whittaker was based on 3 characters:
(a) Complexity of cell: Cell is prokaryote or eukaryote, on this basis, kingdom Monera is formed. And all the prokaryotes are grouped into it.
(b) Complexity of organism: Organism is unicellular or multicellular, on this basis kingdom Protista was formed, and all the unicellular eukaryotes are grouped into it.
(c) Nutrition: Organism is autotrophic or heterotrophic, on this basis kingdom Fungi, Plantae and Animalia were formed.
(3) The five kingdoms classified by Whittaker are:
Kingdom Monera:
• Includes prokaryotes.
• Typically unicellular organisms (but one group is mycelia).
• genetic material is naked circular DNA, not enclosed by nuclear envelop.
• Ribosomes and simple chromatophores are the only subcellular organelles in the cytoplasm. The ribosomes are 70S.
• Gas vacuole may be present.
• The predominant mode of nutrition is absorpitive. But some groups are photosynthetic and chemosynthetic.
• The organisms are non-motile ior move by beating of simple gflagella or by gliding.
• Flagella composed of many interwined chains of a protein flagellin.
• Maoneran cells are moicroscopic.
• Most organisms bear a rigid cell wall (peptidoglycan).
• Reproduction is primarily asexual by binary fission or budding. Mitotic apparatus is not formed during cell division.
• Examples: bacteria, actinomycetes, mycoplasma and cyanobacteria.
• Smallest and most abundant organism on Earth.
Bacteria:
• Bacteria are found in various shapes like:
a) Coccus (spherical)
b) Bacillus (rod-shaped)
c) Vibrio (comma shaped)
d) Spirillum (spiral shaped)
• Bacteria found almost everywhere and can be Photosynthetic autotrophs, Chemosynthetic autotrophs or Heterotrophs.
Archaebacteria:
• Archaebacteria has different cell wall structure due to which they can live in most harsh habitats.
a) Halophiles (salt-loving), e.g., halobacterium and halococcus
b) Thermoacidophiles (in hot springs), e.g., sulfobolus and thermoplasma
c) Methanogen (marshy area),e.g., Methanobacterium, Methanolinea
• Methanogens are also found in the guts of several ruminant animals such as cows and buffalos and they are responsible for the production of methane (biogas) from the dung of these animals.
Eubacteria:
• These are also known as true bacteria.
• They have a rigid cell wall.
• They posses flagellum, if motile.
• They also known as blue green algae or Cyanobacteria.
• Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic autotrophs.
• These are unicellular, colonial or filamentous algae.
• Colonies are surrounded by gelatinous sheath.
• Some of the eubacteria can fix atmospheric nitrogen by specialized cells, e.g. Anabaena and Nostoc. These special cells are called heterocyst.
• Chemosynthetic autotrophs: Oxidize various inorganic substances such as nitrates, nitrites and ammonia and use the released energy for their ATP production. They play a great role in recycling nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, iron and sulphur.
• Heterotrophic bacteria: The most abundant in nature
a) Most of them are decomposer
b) They are helpful in making curd from milk.
c) They are helpful in Production of antibiotics
d) Some are pathogen causing diseases like cholera, typhoid, and tetanus.
• Bacteria reproduce mainly by fission, also produce spore in unfavorable condition.
• Reproduce sexually by transfer of DNA form one bacteria to other, the process called conjugation.
Mycoplasma:
• Completely lack a cell wall.
• Smallest living cells known.
• Can survive even without oxygen.
• Pathogenic in animals and plants.
Kingdom Protista:
• All are unicellular and eukaryotic.
• Primarily aquatic, can live in moist places.
• Forms a link with the others dealing with plants, animals and fungi.
• The cell body contains a well defined nucleus and membrane bound organelles.
• Some have cilia or flagella.
• Reproduce asexually and sexually by a process involving cell fusion and zygote formation.
♦ PHOTOSYNTHETIC AUTOTROPHS
Chrysophytes:
• Includes diatoms and golden algae (desmids)
• They are found in freshwater as well as in marine environments.
• Mostly planktonic ( passive swimmer)
• Cell walls overlap to fit together like a soap box.
• Cell wall contains silica hence indestructible.
• Their accumulation forms ‘Diatomaceous Earth’.
• Used in polishing, filtration of oils and syrups.
• Diatoms are the chief ‘producers’ in the oceans.
Dinoflagellates :
• Marine, photosynthetic.
• Cell wall has stiff cellulose plates.
• Appears yellow, green, brown, blue or red depending on the pigments.
• Have two flagella − one longitudinal and other transversely in a furrow between wall plates.
• Red Dinoflagellates (Gonyaulax) form red tides.
Kingdom Fungi
• Fungi are eukaryotic organisms.
• They are non-vascular.
• They reproduce by means of spores called conidia or sporangiospores or zoospores.
• Depending on the species and conditions both sexual and asexual spores may be produced.
• They are non-motile.
• Exhibit the phenomenon of alteration of generation.
• The vegetative body of the fungi may be unicellular or composed of microscopic threads called hyphae. The network of hyphae is known as mycelium.
• Cell wall composed of chitin.
• Fungi are heterotrophic organisms.
• Store their food as starch.
• Nutrition in fungi is saprophytic, or parasitic or symbiotic.
• Reproduction in fungi is both by sexual and asexual means. Sexual state is referred to as teleomorph, asexual state is referred to as anamorph.
♦ LICHENS
• Forms symbiotic relation with alga and fungus.
• Algal partner: phycobiont, fungal partner:mycobiont.
• Vegetative reproduction by fragmentation.
• Asexual as well as sexual reproduction.
• Three types:
1. Crustose lichen: crust like growth,Thallus flat irregularly lobed.example:Rhizocarpon, Graphis
2. Foliose lichen: Thallus like dry forked leaf, flat ,irregularly lobed example:Parmelia , Peltigera
3. Fruticose lichen: Branched like a bush and attached to the substratum with the help of flattened disc. Example: Usnea , Cladonia
Kingdom Plantae
• Most of the plants are eukaryotic.
• They contain chlorophyll.
• Cells are surrounded by cell wall.
• Cell walls of plant cells are comprised of cellulose.
• They have an ability to grow by cell division. Growth occurs due to the presence of definite growing points or cells. In higher forms, growing areas are called meristems.
• In life cycle of plant cells, the interchanges occur from the embryos and are supported by other tissues and self produ ce.
• Plants have tissue and organ.
• They obtain their energy from sun through photosynthesis.
• Plants reproduce both sexually and asexually. Alternation of generation is found in plants.
• They lack motility.
Kingdom Animalia
• Animals are eukaryotic, multicellular and heterotrophic organisms.
• They have multiple cells with mitochondria
• They depend on other organisms for food.
• The size of animals ranges from a few celled organism like the mesozoans to animals weighing many tons like the blue whale.
• The animal cell contains organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, lysosomes, vacuoles, centrioles, and cytoskeleton.
• They have tissue/organ/organ system.
• Organ systems are skeletal system, muscular system, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system, excretory system, reproductive system, immune system and the endocrine system.
• Most animals have the ability to move, they show rapid movement as compared to other organisms.
