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A taxon is a group of organisms that share a common characteristic and are classified together in a
hierarchical system of classification, such as species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, and
kingdom.
The five kingdom system flow diagram classifies organisms into five kingdoms: Monera, Protista,
Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. Monera includes bacteria and cyanobacteria; Protista includes
protozoa, algae, and slime molds; Fungi includes fungi and yeasts; Plantae includes plants; and
Animalia includes animals.
Viruses are not part of the current classification system because they are not living organisms. They
lack many of the characteristics of life, such as the ability to grow, reproduce, and metabolize
without a host cell.
The seven taxa, from largest to smallest, are: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and
species.
Binomial nomenclature is a system of naming and classifying organisms using two Latinized names:
the genus and species. The genus name is capitalized, and the species name is lowercase. For
example, Homo sapiens is the binomial name for humans. Binomial nomenclature allows for a
unique and standardized way to identify and classify organisms based on their physical and genetic
characteristics.

Handout
The five kingdom system is a way of classifying living organisms based on their characteristics and
evolutionary relationships. Here's an overview of each kingdom and some examples of organisms
found in each:
Monera: This kingdom includes unicellular prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria and
cyanobacteria. These organisms are typically very small, and many are found in soil, water, or living
in or on other organisms.
Protista: This kingdom includes unicellular eukaryotic organisms, such as protozoa, algae, and slime
molds. These organisms are found in a variety of environments, from freshwater to soil to the ocean.
Fungi: This kingdom includes multicellular eukaryotic organisms, such as mushrooms, yeasts, and
molds. Fungi play important roles in decomposing dead plant and animal matter, as well as in the
production of food and medicines.
Plantae: This kingdom includes multicellular eukaryotic organisms that are capable of
photosynthesis, such as trees, grasses, and flowers. Plants are important producers of oxygen and
play a critical role in the global carbon cycle.
Animalia: This kingdom includes multicellular eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophic and
mobile, such as insects, fish, birds, and mammals. Animals play important roles in food webs and
ecosystems, as well as in human culture and society.
It's worth noting that the five kingdom system is now considered outdated and has been replaced by
more complex and nuanced classification systems, but it still provides a useful starting point for
understanding the diversity of life on Earth.