Variety Of Living Organisms
Overview
Life on Earth is staggeringly diverse, from microscopic bacteria living in hot springs to blue whales cruising the open ocean. Biologists bring order to this diversity by sorting organisms into groups based on shared features, a process called classification. The system used at IGCSE level divides living things into five kingdoms, with viruses sitting outside them entirely.
In this lesson you will learn the defining features of animals, plants, fungi, protoctists and prokaryotes. You will also explore the key differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, discover why viruses are not considered truly alive, and examine how certain organisms from each group can act as pathogens.
Objectives
- Describe the common features shown by eukaryotic organisms: plants, animals, fungi and protoctists
- Describe the common features shown by prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria
- Understand the term pathogen and know that pathogens may include fungi, bacteria, protoctists or viruses
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Flashcards
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Variety Of Living Organisms. Now that you've explored the key concepts and ideas, it's time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which kingdom contains organisms that have cell walls made of chitin? A) Animals B) Plants C) Fungi D) Prokaryotes Answer: C
- What is the main difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells? A) Eukaryotic cells have a cell wall B) Prokaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus C) Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus D) Prokaryotic cells are always multicellular Answer: C
- Which of the following organisms is a prokaryote? A) Amoeba B) Yeast C) Lactobacillus D) Chlorella Answer: C
- Viruses are not placed in any kingdom because they: A) are too small to classify B) do not carry out all eight life processes independently C) are made of protein only D) can only infect plants Answer: B
- An organism feeds by secreting enzymes onto dead organic matter and absorbing the products. This type of nutrition is called: A) Autotrophic B) Heterotrophic C) Saprotrophic D) Parasitic Answer: C
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Recommended Books
Further learning from open sources
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Textbook section
Prokaryotic Cells
Name examples of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms
"Biology: Prokaryotic Cells" by OpenStax, OpenStax, Rice University, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: https://openstax.org/books/biology/pages/4-2-prokaryotic-cells. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/biology/pages/1-introduction
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Textbook section
Fungal Parasites and Pathogens
Describe fungal parasites and pathogens of plants
"Biology: Fungal Parasites and Pathogens" by OpenStax, OpenStax, Rice University, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: https://openstax.org/books/biology/pages/24-4-fungal-parasites-and-pathogens. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/biology/pages/1-introduction
Published by other organisations under open licences, credited as they ask. Links open their websites.
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