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Diversity in Living Organisms Biodiversity-The Wide Variety of Living Organisms (Flora and Fauna) On Earth Constitutes
Diversity in Living Organisms Biodiversity-The Wide Variety of Living Organisms (Flora and Fauna) On Earth Constitutes
Biodiversity- The wide variety of living organisms (flora and fauna) on earth constitutes
biodiversity.
It is not possible to study each and every living organism on earth as it is very time consuming
and tedious. So, a better way of studying organisms is to study one or few from certain specific
categories. For this purpose organisms are placed into categories based on certain
characteristics in a systematic and scientific manner. The science of arranging organisms into
groups based on similarities and differences among them is known as classification.
Importance of classification
The earliest forms of life that arose on earth must have been simple. As the
environment started changing, the life forms also underwent changes accordingly.
Those features that made it possible for them to adapt well to the environment were
passed on to the next generation or became heritable. Gradually, more and more life
forms with a variety of characteristics started evolving. In other words, life was moving
from simpler to complex forms. This sequence of slow or gradual processes because of
which simple life forms gave rise to complex forms is known as biological evolution.
Such an idea of evolution was first given by Charles Darwin in his book, The Origin of
Species (1859).
Classification of organisms is closely associated with their evolutionary history. Some
forms of life, like certain bacteria have retained their simple cell structure. These
organisms are considered to be ‘primitive’ or ‘lower. They have not undergone many
changes with time. However, certain organisms acquired new characters relatively
recently. Because of increased complexity such organisms are referred to as ‘advanced’
or ‘higher’. So, while some organisms are older others are younger. Older forms of life
are simple and younger forms of life are more complex.
Hierarchy of Classification
Whittaker has classified organisms on the basis of their cell structure, mode and source of
nutrition and body organization.
Kingdom Monera
1. Lack a well defined nucleus and membrane bound organelles- are PROKARYOTES
2. Unicellular
3. Bacteria and Cyanobacteria have cell wall but Mycoplasmas (e.g. PPLO) lack cell wall.
4. Mode of Nutrition- Autotrophic or heterotrophic (saprophytes or parasites)
Kingdom Protista
1. EUKARYOTES
2. Unicellular
3. A few protists have special structures like cilia and flagella for locomotion.
4. Autotrophic or heterotrophic mode of nutrition
Examples are unicellular algae, diatoms and protozoans
Kingdom Fungi
1. Heterotrophic Eukaryotes. Saprophytes use dead and decaying organic matter as their
source of nutrition. Parasites derive nutrition from the body of their hosts.
4. A few forms of fungi form mutual symbiotic association with blue green algae
(cyanobacteria) or algae. This association forms an organism called LICHENS. The
algae prepares food and the fungi provide shelter and absorb water and
minerals.
Kingdom Plantae
Kingdom Animalia
KINGDOM PLANTAE
The kingdom is divided into various groups depending upon whether the plants:
1. Thallophyta
2. Bryophyta
2. The plant body is commonly differentiated to form stem-like, root-like and leaf-like
structures.
3. There is no specialised tissue for the conduction of water and other substances from
one part of the plant body to another.
4. Embryo development seen for the first time. (Did not happen in most thallophytes)
5. Multicellular sex organs present (sex cells or structures are unicellular in Thallophytes)
Examples are moss (Funaria) and Marchantia
3. Pteridophyta
Note: Thallophytes, Bryophtes and Pteridophytes are together called CRYPTOGAMS as these
groups of plants have sex organs that are inconspicuous or invisible or cryptic.
The next two groups of plants are called PHANEROGAMS- with conspicuous reproductive
organs and seed formation.
These also possess well developed vascular system constituted by xylem and phloem for
conduction of substances.
4. Gymnosperms
1. This term is made from two Greek words: gymno– means naked and sperma– means
seed. The plants of this group bear naked seeds; i.e. the seeds are not enclosed within
fruits.
5. Angiosperms
1. This word is made from two Greek words: angio means covered and sperma– means
seed. The seeds develop inside an organ (ovary) which is modified to become a fruit.
2. The sex organs (stamen and pistil) are present in a specialized unit called the flower.
Hence, angiosperms are also called ‘Flowering Plants’.
3. The seed has a seed coat within which is present the embryo.
4. The embryo has two parts- cotyledons and embryonal axis. The cotyledons have stored
food in them for the developing embryo.
5. Cotyledons are often called ‘seed leaves’ because in many instances they emerge and
become green when the seed germinates.
6. The angiosperms are divided into two groups on the basis of the number of cotyledons
present in the seed. Plants with seeds having a single cotyledon are called
monocotyledonous or monocots. Plants with seeds having two cotyledons are called
dicots