There are millions of different living organisms in this world, and it would be very difficult for us to study all of them individually. By classifying organisms, it makes it easier to identify living things and compare their characteristics. It also makes it possible for scientists to study the relationship between different groups of organisms.
Look around you. Everyone in this room is similar, yet different. We can put everyone in this room into groups based on these similarities and differences.Â
Pinky and Raani are both girls, but Pinky has pink hair and Raani has dark brown hair so they will first both go in the girl group, but then can be separated into two different groups based on the color of their hair.Â
Can you think of any other similarities and differences between Pinky and Raani?
Are these living or nonliving things?
How to classify these living things into different groups based on their similarities and differences?
Is there any living thing that you can not fit into any group?
What features would one use to group the organisms?
What are 5 different kingdoms of living things?
In a similar way, scientists also classify all living organisms under five main groups called kingdoms. The five kingdoms are: Monera, Fungi, Protista, Animalia, and Plantae. The organisms under these kingdoms have different characteristics based on which they are put into groups.
Characteristics Monera
Monera consists of unicellular organisms such as bacteria and is very small in size. They are all around us but we can not see them without a microscope. Some bacteria are useful for us while some are harmful and can cause illnesses.
Characteristics Fungi
Fungi can be unicellular or multicellular. Multicellular means that they are made up of many cells. Fungi do not make their own food, but are decomposers and feed on dead or decaying matter.
Example of fungi?
Yeast and mushrooms are examples of fungi.
Characteristics Protists
Instruction: Show students the following image:
Organisms under Protista can be unicellular or multicellular.They are found in rivers, ponds, and lakes and have characteristics of both plants and animals. Some protists can make their own food with the help of chlorophyll.
Characteristics of Animals
This kingdom consists of multicellular organisms which have different organs and organ systems. Animals can not make their own food but rely on other animals, plants, or fungi as their source of food. Animals are of different sizes; they can be very small in size and can also be very large.
Characteristics of Plants
Plants are multicellular organisms that make their own food. Plants are separated into two groups: flower and fruit-producing plants and non-flower and fruit-producing plants.Â
