Five Kingdom Classification Proposed by R.H Whittaker (1969)

Criterion for classification: Proposed by  R.H Whittaker (1969)

a) Complexity of cell structure: prokaryotic and Eukaryotic 

b) Complexity of organisms: Unicellular or multicellular 

c) Mode of nutrition: Plantae (autotrophs), Fungi (heterotrophs and saprobic  absorption, Animalia (heterotrophs and ingestion) 

d) Life style: Producers (Plantae), Consumers (Animalia), Decomposers (Fungi)

e) Phylogentic relationships: prokaryotes to eukaryotes, unicellular to multicellular organisms

1. Kingdom Monera :Bacteria, Cyano bacteria (Blue green algae)  

Cell structure: Unicelled prokaryotes

Nutrition: Absorptive or photosynthetic

Movement: By flagella (tubulin)

Reproduction: Asexual

2. Kingdom Protista (protozoans

Phytoplankton, Zooplankton )

Cell structure :Unicelled eukaryotes

Nutrition :Absorptive, photosynthetic

Movement :By flagella, cilia, streaming

Reproduction: Both asexual and sexual

3. Kingdom Fungi : Yeasts(Unicellular) moulds, mushrooms.

Multicelled eukaryotes

Cell structure :Chitinous cell wall

Nutrition :heterotrophic, Absorptive, Saprobic

Movement : Non-motile

Reproduction: Both asexual and sexual

4. Kingdom Plantae (Algae, Bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms, Multicelled eukaryotes)

Cell structure: cellulosic cell wall, presence of plastids

Nutrition :Autotrophic

Movement :Non-motile

Reproduction :Both asexual and sexual

5. Kingdom Animalia (Sponges, Invertebrates, vertebrates ,Multicelled eukaryotes)

Cell structure :without cell wall, and plastids

Nutrition :Heterotrophic

Movement :Highly motile

Reproduction: Both asexual and sexual

Learn more:

• Artificial and Natural Classification
• Natural and Phylogenetic Classification