Question

All prokaryotic groups are put under kingdom (a) Monera (b) Plantae (c) Fungi (d) Protista

Short answer

The correct answer is (a) Monera, as prokaryotic groups are put under kingdom Monera.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Terminology

Prokaryotic organisms are simple, small, and unicellular. The term 'prokaryotic' comes from the Greek words 'pro' which means before and 'karyon' which means nucleus. So, prokaryotic organisms are organisms that have no true nucleus.

Know the Kingdoms

There are 5 major kingdoms according to the classification given by Whittaker - Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. Each is characterized by specific sets of features.

Identify the Correct Kingdom

Among these 5 kingdoms, the kingdom Monera consists of all prokaryotes (unicellular organisms that lacks the true nucleus). Thus, prokaryotic groups are put under kingdom Monera.

Key concepts

Prokaryotic Organisms

Prokaryotic organisms represent some of the simplest and most ancient life forms on Earth. Unlike eukaryotic cells that make up plants, animals, and fungi, prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. This cellular structure is a defining characteristic of prokaryotes, including bacteria and archaea.

Prokaryotic cells maintain their genetic material in an open space called the nucleoid, and they carry out life processes in ways that are more straightforward than their eukaryotic counterparts. Prokaryotes play crucial roles in the environment, such as decomposing dead organisms, and they can also be found in symbiotic relationships with other organisms. Despite their simplicity, prokaryotes exhibit a remarkable diversity in terms of metabolism and habitat preferences.

Whittaker's Five Kingdoms

The Five Kingdom system, proposed by Robert H. Whittaker in 1969, revolutionized the way we classify living organisms. In this system, all life is categorized into five distinct kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. Each kingdom is defined based on cell type, cell structure, mode of nutrition, and body organization.

Monera includes all prokaryotes, which are unicellular and have no distinct nucleus. Protista is a diverse group consisting of unicellular and simple multicellular organisms that do not fit into the other kingdoms. The kingdoms Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia are composed of eukaryotic organisms, but they are distinguished by their modes of nutrition and levels of cellular complexity. Fungi absorb nutrients, Plantae perform photosynthesis, and Animalia ingest food.

Biology Classification

Biological classification, also known as taxonomy, is a scientific approach used to categorize and organize living things into groups sharing common characteristics. The aim is to reflect evolutionary relationships and provide a precise way for scientists to communicate about species. Classification begins with the broadest category, the domain, and becomes more specific down to the kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

Current scientific consensus recognizes three domains: Bacteria, Archaea (both prokaryotic), and Eukarya (comprised of eukaryotes). Within these domains are the kingdoms, with Monera representing one of the primary kingdoms under the prokaryotic domains. Whittaker's five-kingdom model is one of several systems used for classification, but it has been a foundational approach in biology for understanding the vast diversity of life on Earth.