Domains and Kingdoms (Chap. 1, Lesson 3)

Fungi

Fungi are eukaryotes. All fungi are heterotrophs. They feed by absorbing nutrients from absorbing nutrients from dead or decaying organisms. Most are multicellular eukaryotes such as mushrooms, mold and mildew. Some are unicellular such as yeast.

Protist

A eukaryotic organism that cannot be classified as fungi, plant or animal. This is the "odds and ends" kingdom. Some are autotrophs, some are heterotrophs. Most are unicellular, some are multicellular.

Nucleus

An organelle in the cell that contains nucleic acids - the chemical instructions that direct the cell's activities. In prokaryotes, nucleic acids are not contained within a nucleus.

Plants

Multicellular, eukaryotes, autotrophs

Animals

Multicellular, eukaryotes, heterotrophs

Domain Eukarya

Organisms in this domain are eukaryotes. Scientists classify organisms in the domain Eukarya into one of the four kingdoms: protists, fungi, plants or animals.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with cells that contain nuclei.

Prokaryotes

Organisms with cells that do not contain nuclei.

Domain

The broadest level of classification.

Domains of Life

The three domains of life are: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya Organisms are placed into domains and kingdoms based on their cell type, their ability to make food, and the number of cells in their bodies.

Domain Bacteria

Unicellular organisms whose cells do not have a nucleus (prokaryotes). Some are autotrophs and some are heterotrophs.

Domain Archaea

Unicellular prokaryotes. Like bacteria, some are autotrophs and some are heterotrophs. Archaea are classified in their own domain because their chemical makeup differs from that of bacteria.