Biological Classification

Why Classification?
Earlier, living things were divided into just 2 kingdoms — Plantae and Animalia (Linnaeus). But this failed because:
● It didn't separate prokaryotes (bacteria) from eukaryotes
● It didn't separate unicellular from multicellular organisms
● It didn't separate photosynthetic (autotrophic) from non-photosynthetic (heterotrophic) organisms
So R.H. Whittaker (1969) proposed the Five Kingdom Classification, based on:
● Cell structure (prokaryotic/eukaryotic)
● Body organization (unicellular/multicellular)
● Mode of nutrition (autotrophic/heterotrophic)
● Phylogenetic relationships
● Reproduction

The Five Kingdoms — Quick Overview

Kingdom Cell Type Cell Wall Nutrition Body Type Examples
Present (non- Autotrophic + Bacteria,
Monera Prokaryotic Unicellular
cellulose) Heterotrophic Cyanobacteria

Amoeba,
Autotrophic +
Protista Eukaryotic Present (in some) Unicellular Paramecium,
Heterotrophic
Diatoms

Heterotrophic Multicellular Mushroom, Yeast,

Fungi Eukaryotic Present (chitin)
(saprophytic) (mostly) Penicillium

Moss, Fern, Mango

Plantae Eukaryotic Present (cellulose) Autotrophic Multicellular
tree

Animalia Eukaryotic Absent Heterotrophic Multicellular Frog, Fish, Human

1. Kingdom Monera (Bacteria)

Simplest, smallest, most abundant organisms. No true nucleus (nuclear material lies free in cytoplasm as nucleoid).

Type Feature Example

Live in extreme habitats (salty areas, hot springs,
Halophiles, Thermoacidophiles,
Archaebacteria marshy land); different cell wall helps them survive
Methanogens
extreme conditions

"True bacteria"; rigid cell wall; if motile, have

Eubacteria Common bacteria
flagellum
 Type Feature Example
Photosynthetic, autotrophic; chlorophyll a; colonial or
Cyanobacteria (Blue-
filamentous; mucilaginous sheath; nitrogen fixation via Nostoc, Anabaena
green algae)
heterocysts

No cell wall at all; smallest living organisms known; Mycoplasma (causes

Mycoplasma
can survive without oxygen plant/animal diseases)

Nutrition modes in Monera: Autotrophic (photosynthetic/chemosynthetic) or Heterotrophic

(saprophytic/parasitic/symbiotic).

2. Kingdom Protista
All single-celled eukaryotes — acts as a link between Monera, Plantae, Animalia, and Fungi. Have well-defined
nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Mostly aquatic. Reproduce both asexually and sexually (by cell fusion &
zygote formation).

Group Key Feature Example

Diatoms & desmids; found in fresh/marine water; cell
Chrysophytes walls form two thin overlapping shells (like a soap box) Diatoms
— indestructible "diatomaceous earth"

Mostly marine, photosynthetic; two flagella (one

Dinoflagellates longitudinal, one transverse); colourful depending on Gonyaulax (causes "red tide")
pigment

Freshwater; no cell wall, only protein-rich pellicle; two

Euglenoids flagella; has eyespot; photosynthetic in light, Euglena
heterotrophic in dark

Saprophytic; move & feed like Amoeba; form

Slime Moulds aggregation called plasmodium under unfavourable Slime mould
conditions

All heterotrophic (predators or parasites); considered

Protozoans See sub-groups below
ancestors of animals

Protozoan Sub-groups
Sub-type Feature Example
Move using pseudopodia (false feet);
Amoeboid protozoans Amoeba, Entamoeba
freshwater/marine/parasitic

Flagellated protozoans Move using flagella; free-living or parasitic Trypanosoma

Move using cilia; have a cavity (gullet) that opens to

Ciliated protozoans Paramecium
outside

Sporozoans No locomotory organs; infectious spore-like stage Plasmodium (causes malaria)

3. Kingdom Fungi
Heterotrophic, eukaryotic organisms. Cell wall made of chitin. Most are multicellular (except yeast). Body made of
thread-like structures called hyphae; network of hyphae = mycelium. Reproduce by vegetative, asexual, and sexual
means (spores).

Class Mycelium Type Reproduction Example

Aseptate (no cross Asexual by zoospores/aplanospores; Rhizopus (bread
Phycomycetes
walls), coenocytic sexual by zygospore mould), Mucor

Septate, branched;
Asexual by conidia; sexual by
Ascomycetes (Sac fungi) unicellular (yeast) Yeast, Penicillium
ascospores (formed in ascus)
too

Sexual spores (basidiospores) on Mushroom, Bracket

Basidiomycetes Septate, branched
basidium; no asexual spores fungi, Puffballs

Deuteromycetes Only asexual (conidia) & vegetative Alternaria,

Septate, branched
(Imperfect fungi) reproduction known Trichoderma

Note: Fungi often live in symbiotic relationships — Lichen = Fungus + Algae (mutualistic); Mycorrhiza = Fungus
+ Plant roots (mutualistic).

4. Kingdom Plantae (Plants)

All eukaryotic, chlorophyll-containing, multicellular organisms. Cell wall made of cellulose. Mostly autotrophic.
Life cycle shows alternation of generations — alternates between diploid sporophytic and haploid gametophytic
stage.

Division Common Name Key Features Example

Simple plant body not differentiated into
Thallophyta Spirogyra, Ulothrix,
Algae root/stem/leaf (thallus); mostly aquatic;
(Algae) Chara
chlorophyll-bearing

Grow on land but need water for sexual

"Amphibians of Moss (Funaria),
Bryophyta reproduction; no true roots/stem/leaves (have
plant kingdom" Marchantia
rhizoids); plant body is gametophyte

First plants with true roots, stem, leaves and

Fern, Selaginella,
Pteridophyta Ferns vascular tissue; plant body is sporophyte;
Horsetail
seedless; reproduce by spores

Seeds not enclosed in fruit (naked); mostly

Gymnosperms "Naked-seed" plants Pine, Cycas, Deodar
evergreen, woody, perennial

Seeds enclosed within fruit; most advanced

Angiosperms Flowering plants Wheat, Mango, Rose
group; divided into monocots & dicots

Algae — Classified by Pigment / Colour

Type Colour/Pigment Example
Chlorophyceae Green algae (chlorophyll a & b) Chlamydomonas, Ulva
 Type Colour/Pigment Example
Phaeophyceae Brown algae (fucoxanthin) Laminaria, Sargassum

Rhodophyceae Red algae (phycoerythrin) Porphyra, Gracilaria

5. Kingdom Animalia
Eukaryotic, multicellular, heterotrophic organisms without a cell wall. Most show locomotion and are motile.
Classified based on levels of organisation, symmetry, body cavity (coelom), and notochord.

Phylum Key Feature Example

Pore-bearing "sponges"; cellular level of organisation; no
Porifera Sponges (Spongilla)
true tissues; canal system for water flow

Tissue level organisation; radial symmetry; stinging cells Hydra, Jellyfish, Sea
Coelenterata (Cnidaria)
(cnidoblasts); body cavity called coelenteron anemone

Marine; radial symmetry; move using comb plates (rows of

Ctenophora Comb jellies
cilia); bioluminescent

Flatworms; bilateral symmetry; no true body cavity Tapeworm, Liver fluke,

Platyhelminthes
(acoelomate); many parasitic Planaria

Aschelminthes Roundworms; pseudocoelomate (false body cavity); Roundworm (Ascaris),

(Nematoda) cylindrical body; many parasitic Filaria worm

Segmented worms (true metamerism); true coelom; found in

Annelida Earthworm, Leech, Nereis
fresh/marine water & land

LARGEST animal phylum; jointed legs; hard exoskeleton Insects, Prawn, Spider,
Arthropoda
of chitin; segmented body Scorpion

Soft body, usually covered by hard calcareous shell;

Mollusca Snail, Octopus, Mussel
muscular foot for locomotion

"Spiny skinned"; marine; calcium carbonate spines; unique Starfish, Sea urchin, Sea
Echinodermata
water vascular system for locomotion cucumber

Hemichordata Marine, worm-like; body has proboscis, collar, trunk Balanoglossus

Have notochord at some stage, dorsal hollow nerve cord,

Chordata Fish, Frog, Human, Birds
paired gill slits, post-anal tail

Chordata — Further Divided

Sub-phylum/Class Feature Example
Urochordata Notochord only in larval tail Sea squirt

Notochord runs entire body length, persists

Cephalochordata Amphioxus
throughout life

Notochord replaced by bony/cartilaginous vertebral

Vertebrata See classes below
column in adults
Vertebrate Classes
Class Feature Example
Cyclostomata Jawless, sucker-like mouth, parasitic on fish Lamprey

Chondrichthyes Cartilaginous skeleton, marine, no swim bladder Shark, Ray

Osteichthyes Bony skeleton; swim bladder present Rohu, Tuna, Seahorse

Amphibia Live on land & water; moist skin; 3-chambered heart Frog, Toad, Salamander

Reptilia Dry, scaly skin; cold-blooded; lay eggs with shell Snake, Lizard, Turtle

Warm-blooded; body covered with feathers; forelimbs

Aves Pigeon, Crow, Ostrich
modified into wings

Mammalia Warm-blooded; mammary glands present; hair on skin Human, Whale, Bat

Quick Memory Tips

● Five Kingdoms (increasing complexity): Monera → Protista → Fungi → Plantae/Animalia
● Cell wall material: Monera (peptidoglycan) → Fungi (chitin) → Plants (cellulose) → Animals (none)
● Plant divisions (increasing complexity): Thallophyta → Bryophyta → Pteridophyta → Gymnosperms →
Angiosperms
● "Amphibians of plant kingdom" = Bryophytes (need water to reproduce but live on land)
● Animal phyla (increasing complexity): Porifera → Coelenterata → Platyhelminthes → Aschelminthes →
Annelida → Arthropoda → Mollusca → Echinodermata → Chordata

Based on NCERT Class 11 Biology, Chapter: Biological Classification