Question

The kingdom that contains humans is the kingdom a. Animalia. c. Plantae. b. Fungi d. Protista.

Short answer

The kingdom that contains humans is the kingdom: a. Animalia.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Classification System

The biological classification system has five major kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, and Monera. Each kingdom consists of different living organisms with similar characteristics.

Investigate Kingdom Animalia

The Kingdom Animalia contains multicellular organisms that are heterotrophs, meaning they obtain their energy by consuming other organisms. These organisms have cells with a nucleus and reproduce sexually.

Investigate Kingdom Plantae

The Kingdom Plantae consists of multicellular organisms that are autotrophs, meaning they can produce their own food through photosynthesis. Their cells have a cell wall made of cellulose, and they reproduce sexually and asexually.

Investigate Kingdom Fungi

The Kingdom Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that consist of unicellular and multicellular organisms. They are heterotrophs, obtaining their energy from decomposing organic material. They reproduce sexually and asexually, and their cells have a chitin-based cell wall.

Investigate Kingdom Protista

The Kingdom Protista is a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that are mostly unicellular but can also be multicellular. They are both autotrophs and heterotrophs, depending on the species. They reproduce sexually and asexually.

Identify the Correct Kingdom

From the information above, humans are multicellular, have a nucleus in their cells, are heterotrophs, and reproduce sexually. Based on these characteristics, humans belong to the Kingdom \(Animalia\).

Final Answer

The kingdom that contains humans is the kingdom: a. Animalia.

Key concepts

Biological Classification System

The biological classification system is a way of organizing living organisms into hierarchical categories. This system helps scientists and researchers communicate and understand the vast diversity of life forms on Earth. There are several levels in this system, from the broadest to the most specific, including:

• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species

Species is the most specific category and identifies individual organisms. The classification system groups organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary history. For example, all animals belong to the Kingdom Animalia, a broad category that further divides into more specific groups based on various traits.

Heterotrophs

Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and depend on other sources of organic carbon, mainly animal or plant matter. These organisms must consume other living things to obtain the energy and nutrients they need to survive and grow.

• All animals, including humans, are heterotrophs.
• They consume plants, other animals, or both to get their energy.
• Even some fungi and protists are heterotrophs, as they rely on decomposing organic material.

The ability to rely on other organisms for nourishment means heterotrophs play a critical role in the food chain, as they help manage population levels of organisms and recycle nutrients.

Multicellular Organisms

Multicellular organisms consist of more than one cell, with cells differentiating to perform specialized functions. This cellular specialization allows for complex body structures and functions, enabling such organisms to adapt to different environments and lifestyles.

• Humans, animals, and most plants are multicellular.
• Each type of cell in a multicellular organism has a specific role, such as nerve cells for transmitting signals or muscle cells for movement.
• Cells in multicellular organisms often work together to form tissues, organs, and ultimately, whole organisms.

This complexity provides an advantage in survival, as it allows for more sophisticated interactions with the environment.

Eukaryotic Organisms

Eukaryotic organisms have cells that contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes, distinguishing them from prokaryotic organisms, which lack these features. The nucleus houses DNA, the genetic blueprint that guides all development and functioning within the cell.

• All members of the Kingdom Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista are eukaryotic.
• The cell structure includes mitochondria, responsible for energy production, and endoplasmic reticulum, involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
• Eukaryotic cells exhibit compartmentalization, allowing for specialized functions to occur within different organelles.

This structural organization allows eukaryotic organisms to maintain complex life processes and adapt to various environments.