The six kingdoms

Eubacteria

All of the other prokaryotes, about 5,000 species of bacteria, are classified in Kingdom Eubacteria. Eubacteria have very strong cell walls and a less complex genetic makeup than found in archaebacteria. They live in most habitats except the extreme ones inhabited by the archaebacteria. Although some eubacteria cause diseases, such as strep throat and pneumonia, most bacteria are harmless and many are actually helpful.

Eukaryotes

Contain a true (membrane-bound) nucleus. Contain membrane-bound organelles. What are organelles again? The tiny "organs" in a cell. Examples:

Fungi: Earth's decomposers

Organisms in Kingdom Fungi are heterotrophs that do not move from place to place. They have cell walls (much like plants). A fungus is either a unicellular or multicellular eukaryote that absorbs nutrients from organic materials in the environment. There are more than 50,000 known species of fungi. Some examples are mushrooms, yeasts, and molds.

Prokaryotic Organisms

Archaebacteria and Eubacteria are the two kingdoms that are made up of prokaryotic organisms. The prokaryotes are organisms with cells that lack a distinct nucleus, have a cell wall, are microscopic, and unicellular. Nucleus - the organelle that manages cellular functions and contains DNA. Unicellular - made up of one cell. If there is no nucleus, is there DNA? Some are heterotrophs and some are autotrophs. Autotrophs - they use energy from the sun or energy from chemicals to manufacture their own nutrients. They can make their own food. Heterotrophs - organisms that cannot make their own food and must feed on other organisms for energy and nutrients.

Bacteria

Can they be beneficial? Yup! Bacteria are important decomposers. They help recycle essential nutrients through the biosphere Eschericia coli live in the human digestive tract. We couldn't survive without them. These bacteria promote good health and the absorption of nutrients. Eubacteria are used to produce foods such as yogurt, cheese, and pickles. Humans are genetically engineering bacteria to produce drugs such as human insulin. Bacteria are also used to make industrial chemicals, harvest metals from ore, treat raw sewage, and clean up polluted water.

Kingdom Protista

Kingdom Protista contains diverse species that share some characteristics. Protists are usually one-celled and are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles) that lacks complex organ systems and live in moist environments. Although most protists are unicellular, some are multicellular. Some are plantlike autotrophs, some are animal-like heterotrophs, and others are fungus like heterotrophs that produce reproductive structures like those of fungi. Examples are amoebas, slime molds, and algae.

Plants: Multicellular oxygen producers

All of the organisms in Kingdom Plantae are multicellular, autotrophic eukaryotes. None move from place to place. Plants can photosynthesize. This means that they use the sun's energy and convert it into energy they can use. They have chloroplasts, which are green colored organelles that trap the energy from the sun. A plant's cells usually contain chloroplasts and have cell walls composed of cellulose. Plant cells are organized into tissue that, in turn, are organized into organs and organ systems. The oldest plant fossils are more than 400 million years old. However, some scientists propose that plants existed on Earth's landmasses much earlier than these fossils indicate. There are more than 250,000 known species of plants. Although you may be most familiar with flowering plants, there are many other types of plants, including mosses, ferns, grasses, and evergreens.

Kingdom Animalia: Multicellular consumers

Animals are multicellular heterotrophs. Nearly all are able to move from place to place. They are eukaryotes. Animal cells do not have cell walls. Their cells are organized into tissues that, in turn, are organized into organs and complex organ systems. Animals first appeared in the fossil record about 600 million years ago. Examples include worms, insects, fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals (including humans!).

The Six Kingdoms of Organisms

Archaebacteria Eubacteria Protista Fungi Plantae Animalia

Archaebacteria

There are several hundred species of known archaebacteria and most of them live in extreme environments such as swamps, deep-ocean hydrothermal vents, and seawater evaporating ponds. Thus, they are called: extremophiles Most of these environments are oxygen-free. Organisms that do not require oxygen are called: anaerobic