Definition characteristics examples and key differences of Monera Protista and Fungi
All the bacteria including blue-green algae or cyanobacteria are a part of the Kingdom Monera The only prokaryotic Kingdom out of all the kingdoms is Monera as they include bacteria that lack a true nucleus. Kingdom Monera also constitutes the most numerous living cellular organisms. Some of the cyanobacteria and actinomycetes are multicellular while most of the bacteria are unicellular.
Kingdom Monera comprises the bacteria and cyanobacteria that are usually known as blue-green algae. While only bacteria are prokaryotic and lack a true nucleus, (which means without a nuclear membrane). The only prokaryotic plant kingdom is Monera. Bacteria were the first cellular organisms to develop on the earth since the afterlife was initiated around 3.5 billion years ago and they are the single cellular organisms on the planet earth for about the next two billion years.
Most bacteria are unicellular or single-celled but some cyanobacteria and actinomycetes are multicellular and filamentous in which filaments might be branched. Monerans are also the most abundant of all living cellular organisms.
Kingdom Monera- Classification
The three sub-kingdoms of the Monera Kingdom are listed below-
Archaebacteria- These are found in the most extreme habitats like hot springs, marshy areas, and salty areas. They have a special cell wall that helps them to survive in extreme conditions. These have a unique nucleotide sequence for their rRNA and tRNA. They have an autotrophic mode of nutrition. Examples are- Ignicoccus hospitalis and Aeropyrum pernix.
Eubacteria (true bacteria)- These have a cell wall that is rigid and made of peptidoglycans. These bacterias move with the help of flagella and some of the bacteria contains pili which are short appendages on the surface of the cell which helps them during sexual reproduction. Examples are- Clostridium and Rhizobium.
Cyanobacteria- These are photosynthetic in nature and are also called blue-green algae. These bacteria contain carotenoids and phycobilins and chlorophyll and are found mostly in the aquatic region. Examples are- Spirulina, Nostoc, and Anabaena.
Kingdom Monera- Functions
Functions of Monerans classified on the basis of Nutrition, Respiration, and Reproduction as listed below-
Monerans have four types of nutritional categories which include autotrophs, saprotrophs, symbionts, and parasites.
Respiration can be aerobic and anaerobic. Cellular respiration occurs in the inner extensions of the cell membrane which are known as mesosomes.
Reproduction can also be of two types- sexual and asexual. Genetic recombination takes place in sexual reproduction while asexual reproduction is done by binary fission.
Kingdom Monera- Characteristics
These are unicellular organisms.
Ribosomes present are of 70S type.
No nuclear membrane bounds the DNA.
Mitochondria, plastid lysosomes, golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, and some other cell organelles are not present.
The cell wall is made of peptidoglycan.
The locomotory organ is the flagella.
These are also known as environmental decomposers.
Kingdom Protista
Kingdom Protista includes unicellular eukaryotes such as diatoms, protozoa, and unicellular algae. These are neither animals nor plants nor fungi. Water or environments which are damp terrestrial are where protists live.
They have membrane-bound organelles like a nucleus with chromosomes covered in the nuclear membrane, chloroplast (only in photosynthetic protists), mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum, and golgi bodies. Here, the respiratory organelles are mitochondria.
Protista is parasitic, photosynthetic or saprotrophic.
Unlike bacteria, Protista would have flagella or cilia having 9 + 2 microtubules which consist of only one spirally protein (flagellin). They can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Some protists are harmful and some are beneficial to human beings.
Kingdom Protista- Classification
The three phyla of Kingdom Protista are listed below-
Kingdom Protista- Functions
80% of the earth’s oxygen is provided by the blue-green algae. Brown-algae and blue-green algae are grown for the production of biofuel.
They are the foundation of the food chain and act as primary producers.
These are symbionts which means they have a close relationship between two species where one is benefitted.
Kingdom Protista- Characteristics
The organelles are membrane-bound. For example, a nucleus has chromosomes enclosed in the nuclear membrane, chloroplast, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or Golgi bodies.
Respiratory organelles are mitochondria.
These can either be photosynthetic, parasitic, or saprotrophic.
Cilia or flagella are used for locomotion.
Reproduction can be sexual as well as asexual.
Kingdom Fungi
During the warm humid season, chapati, bread slices, leather shoes, and belts, develop a dusty layer on them. In flower beds and lawns, mushrooms pop out and these are called fungi.
Kingdom Fungi includes eukaryotic organisms that are omnipresent and have a cell wall. Microorganisms like yeasts, mushrooms, and molds are eukaryotic organisms that are classified under the Kingdom Fungi.
Kingdom Fungi- Classification
Classification of the Kingdom Fungi can be done on the basis of mode of nutrition and spore formation.
Kingdom Fungi- Functions
These are responsible for the breakdown of organic matter which releases carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and nitrogen into the soil as well as the atmosphere.
These are used in many industrial and household processes like wine-making, beer-making, bread-making, cake-baking, and certain cheese.
Kingdom Fungi- Characteristics
These are heterotrophic multicellular or unicellular eukaryotes.
Cell walls are made of chitin.
Thread-like slender filaments are known as hyphae which are divided by partitions called septa in the cells.
The network formed by a group of hyphae is known as the mycelium.
These do not have chlorophyll.
Aquatic fungi have flagellate spores or flagellate gametes. At any stage of the life cycle, higher fungi don't have a flagellum.
Reproduction in fungi can be both sexual by means of conjugation and asexual by flagellate or non-flagellate spores.
Main Kinds of Fungi
Fungi can be classified into five main kinds. They are
Myxomycetes, the slime molds that have an irregular shape. They have a creeping multinucleate mass of protoplasm sometimes enclosing up to several square meters.
Phycomycetes, are unicellular, branched, and filamentous. Example: Phytophthora and Rhizopus.
Ascomycetes, single-celled or multicellular. Example: Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Neurospora.
Basidiomycetes, multicellular, branched and are characterized by smuts, rusts, toadstools, and mushrooms that are large enough so that they can be viewed through naked eyes.
Deuteromycetes, multicellular filamentous branched fungi reproduce by asexual means alone. Example: Alternaria.
Mycorrhizae and lichens exist in symbiotic relationships. Lichens are the combination of definite fungus and a blue-green or green alga that prepares food while the fungus aids in protection and absorbs minerals and water from the neighboring places.
FAQs on Kingdom Monera Protista and Fungi in Biological Classification
1. What is Kingdom Monera?
Kingdom Monera consists of unicellular, prokaryotic organisms that lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. These organisms are the simplest and most primitive forms of life.
- Cells are prokaryotic (no true nucleus).
- Genetic material is present in a nucleoid region.
- Examples include bacteria and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
- They reproduce mainly by binary fission.
2. What is Kingdom Protista?
Kingdom Protista includes mostly unicellular, eukaryotic organisms that do not fit into plants, animals, or fungi. These organisms have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
- Cells are eukaryotic with a defined nucleus.
- Mostly aquatic in habitat.
- May be autotrophic (like algae) or heterotrophic (like protozoa).
- Examples include Amoeba, Paramecium, and Euglena.
3. What is Kingdom Fungi?
Kingdom Fungi consists of eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that absorb nutrients from organic matter. They have cell walls made of chitin instead of cellulose.
- Mostly multicellular (except yeast).
- Body made up of thread-like structures called hyphae.
- Hyphae form a network called mycelium.
- Reproduce by spores.
4. What is the difference between Monera and Protista?
The main difference between Monera and Protista is that Monera are prokaryotic while Protista are eukaryotic. This difference is based on cellular organization.
- Cell type: Monera – prokaryotic; Protista – eukaryotic.
- Nucleus: Absent in Monera; present in Protista.
- Organelles: Absent in Monera; present in Protista.
- Examples: Bacteria (Monera), Amoeba (Protista).
5. What is the difference between Protista and Fungi?
The key difference between Protista and Fungi lies in nutrition and cell structure. Protists may be autotrophic or heterotrophic, while fungi are strictly heterotrophic and absorptive.
- Nutrition: Protista – autotrophic or heterotrophic; Fungi – saprophytic or parasitic.
- Cell wall: Protists may lack a cell wall or have cellulose; fungi have chitin.
- Body organization: Protists mostly unicellular; fungi mostly multicellular.
- Examples: Euglena (Protista), Mushroom (Fungi).
6. How do organisms in Kingdom Monera reproduce?
Organisms in Kingdom Monera primarily reproduce asexually by binary fission. In this process, one cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
- DNA replicates in the nucleoid region.
- The cell elongates.
- A septum forms in the middle.
- The cell splits into two new cells.
7. What are examples of Protista?
Common examples of Protista include unicellular eukaryotes like Amoeba, Paramecium, and Euglena. These organisms show diverse modes of nutrition and movement.
- Amoeba – moves using pseudopodia.
- Paramecium – moves using cilia.
- Euglena – has flagella and chloroplasts.
- Diatoms – photosynthetic algae with silica walls.
8. Why are fungi considered decomposers?
Fungi are considered decomposers because they break down dead and decaying organic matter into simpler substances. They secrete digestive enzymes onto the substrate and absorb nutrients.
- Release enzymes to digest complex compounds.
- Convert organic matter into simpler molecules.
- Recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.
9. What are the main characteristics of Kingdom Monera?
The main characteristics of Kingdom Monera include prokaryotic cell structure, unicellular organization, and asexual reproduction. These features distinguish them from other kingdoms.
- No true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.
- Cell wall usually made of peptidoglycan (in bacteria).
- Reproduce by binary fission.
- May be autotrophic or heterotrophic.
10. How are fungi different from plants?
Fungi differ from plants because fungi are heterotrophic and have chitin cell walls, while plants are autotrophic and have cellulose cell walls. Their mode of nutrition is the primary distinction.
- Nutrition: Fungi – absorptive heterotrophs; Plants – photosynthetic autotrophs.
- Cell wall: Fungi – chitin; Plants – cellulose.
- Chlorophyll: Absent in fungi; present in plants.
- Storage: Fungi store glycogen; plants store starch.
