Biology: Characteristics of Plants and Animals

Characteristics of Plants

• Autotrophic organisms: produce their own food through photosynthesis
• Cell walls composed of cellulose
• Chloroplasts present, containing pigment chlorophyll
• Roots, stems, and leaves as primary organs
• Non-motile, stationary organisms

Characteristics of Animals

• Heterotrophic organisms: obtain energy by consuming other organisms
• Cell walls absent or composed of chitin
• No chloroplasts or chlorophyll present
• Variety of body structures and organs
• Motile, able to move from place to place

Plant Classification

• Divided into two main groups: Bryophyta (non-vascular) and Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Tracheophyta further divided into:
  • Ferns (Pteridophyta)
  • Gymnosperms (seed-producing, e.g., conifers)
  • Angiosperms (flowering plants)

Animal Classification

• Divided into two main groups: Invertebrates (without backbone) and Vertebrates (with backbone)
• Invertebrates:
  • Sponges (Porifera)
  • Cnidarians (jellyfish, corals)
  • Worms (Annelids, Platyhelminthes)
  • Mollusks (squid, octopuses, clams)
  • Echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins)
• Vertebrates:
  • Fish ( Pisces)
  • Amphibians (frogs, toads)
  • Reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles)
  • Birds (Aves)
  • Mammals (warm-blooded, e.g., humans, primates)

Characteristics of Living Organisms

• Plants are autotrophic, meaning they produce their own food through photosynthesis
• Plant cell walls are composed of cellulose
• Chloroplasts are present in plant cells, containing the pigment chlorophyll
• Plants have three primary organs: roots, stems, and leaves
• Plants are non-motile, meaning they are stationary organisms

Characteristics of Animals

• Animals are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain energy by consuming other organisms
• Animal cells lack cell walls or have cell walls composed of chitin
• Chloroplasts and chlorophyll are absent in animal cells
• Animals have a variety of body structures and organs
• Animals are motile, meaning they are able to move from place to place

Plant Classification

• Plants are divided into two main groups: non-vascular (Bryophyta) and vascular (Tracheophyta)
• Vascular plants are further divided into three groups:
  • Ferns (Pteridophyta)
  • Gymnosperms (seed-producing, e.g., conifers)
  • Angiosperms (flowering plants)

Animal Classification

• Animals are divided into two main groups: invertebrates (without backbone) and vertebrates (with backbone)
• Invertebrates include:
  • Sponges (Porifera)
  • Cnidarians (jellyfish, corals)
  • Worms (Annelids, Platyhelminthes)
  • Mollusks (squid, octopuses, clams)
  • Echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins)
• Vertebrates include:
  • Fish (Pisces)
  • Amphibians (frogs, toads)
  • Reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles)
  • Birds (Aves)
  • Mammals (warm-blooded, e.g., humans, primates)

Learn about the distinct features of plants and animals, including their nutrition, cell structure, and organs. Test your knowledge of the differences between these two kingdoms of life.