Taxonomy - Domains and Kingdoms Flashcards

Taxonomy is the classification system that organizes living organisms based on structure, function, and relationships.
The classification hierarchy consists of several categories, culminating in Domain and Kingdom as two of the broadest levels.

Domains are the highest classification level, dividing life into three main categories: Eubacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
Kingdoms rank just below domains, with six main classifications: Eubacteria, Archaea, Protista, Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia.

Organisms are defined as living entities, which can be classified into unicellular (one cell) and multicellular (more than one cell) categories.
Autotrophs produce their own food, primarily plants, while heterotrophs obtain nutrition from other sources, cannot make their own food.

Sexual reproduction involves two parent cells combining genetic material, creating diversity among offspring, typical in eukaryotic cells.
Asexual reproduction only requires one parent cell and produces genetically identical clones, commonly seen in prokaryotic cells.

Eubacteria and Archaea are prokaryotic as they lack a nucleus; Eukarya encompasses all eukaryotic organisms, which have a defined nucleus.
Key characteristics used for classification include cell makeup (unicellular vs. multicellular), nutrient acquisition method (autotroph vs. heterotroph), and reproduction mode (sexual vs. asexual).

Kingdom Eubacteria includes all prokaryotes, apart from archaebacteria.
Archaebacteria consist of ancient prokaryotes that thrive in extreme environments such as deep-sea vents.
Kingdom Protista includes eukaryotic organisms not classified as plants, animals, or fungi, often diverse in form and function.
Kingdom Fungi comprises eukaryotes that absorb nutrients from decomposing material in their environment.
Kingdom Plantae encompasses multicellular, eukaryotic, and autotrophic organisms (e.g., plants).
Kingdom Animalia includes multicellular, eukaryotic, and heterotrophic organisms (e.g., animals).