Question

State the merits of Whittaker's method of classification?

Answer 1

The five kingdom classification:

1. R.H. Whittaker proposed the five-kingdom classification in 1969.
2. This classification was based upon certain characters like mode of nutrition, thallus organization, cell structure, phylogenetic relationships and reproduction.
3. This form of kingdom classification includes five kingdoms Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia.

Merits of Whittaker's five kingdom classification:

1. The five kingdom classification was more scientific and organised.
2. It was not simply based on gross morphological characteristics but several criteria of classification were considered, including evolutionary basis also.
3. Unicellular and multicellular organisms are kept in separate kingdoms. Kingdom monera and protista were assigned for exclusively unicellular organisms. Protozoans were no longer in animal kingdom, but in protista kingdom.
4. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes are separated in different kingdoms. Monera kingdom was exclusively for prokaryotic unicellular.
   
5. Autotrophs and heterotrophs are placed in separate groups. Fungi which were initially placed in plant kingdom because of their immobile nature and presence of cell wall, were now placed in separate kingdom fungi based on their heterotropic mode of nutrition and composition of cell wall.
6. Five kingdom classification is more robust than two kingdom classification.
7. Five kingdom classification is based on bio composition and mode of nutrition, thus it shows series of evolution in organisms.