Question

Explain Whittaker's system of classification with examples and basic characters of group?

Answer 1

Whittaker's System of Classification divides the organisms into five kingdoms as follows:

1. Kingdom Monera: The organisms are prokaryotic and unicellular. They can be autotrophic or heterotrophic. They divide by asexual means and seldom show sexual reproduction. They Inhabit diverse habitats. Some are pathogenic while others are free-living. It can be further classified as Archaebacteria, Eubacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinomycetes, and Mycoplasma.

2. Kingdom Protista: The organisms are eukaryotic, but they are unicellular. They can be autotrophic, like diatoms, or heterotrophic, like Amoeba. They show asexual reproduction. These are further divided as Chrysophytes, Dinoflagellates, Euglenoids, Protozoans, Slime molds.

3. Kingdom Fungi: The organisms are multicellular and eukaryotic. They have a cell wall made of chitin. They are heterotrophic. They show both the sexual as well as sexual reproduction. These can be classified as Deuteromycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Phycomycetes.

4. Kingdom Plantae: The organisms are multicellular and eukaryotic. These are autotrophic and the cell wall is made of cellulose. It can be classified as Thallophyta. Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae, and Angiospermae.

5. Kingdom Animalia: These are multicellular, eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that lack a cell wall. They are capable of locomotion. On the basis of the notochord, these can be Non-chordates (that lack notochord) and Chordates (that have notochord). Non-chordates are further divided as Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Aschelminthes, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata. Chordates can be classified as Invertebrates and Vertebrates on the basis of the vertebral column. Vertebrates can be Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia