Overview of Key Differences Between Kingdoms and Viruses

Introduction

• Aim: Overview of the key features and differences between animals, plants, fungi, protists, bacteria, and viruses.
• Viruses: Not considered living organisms, do not belong to any kingdom.
• Five Kingdoms of Life: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists, and Bacteria.
• Eukaryotes: Animals, Plants, Fungi, and Protists (DNA in nucleus).
• Prokaryotes: Bacteria (DNA not enclosed in a nucleus).

Kingdoms of Life

Animals

• Species Count: Estimated 5-10 million species.
• Characteristics:
  • Multicellular.
  • Heterotrophs: Obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
  • Most reproduce sexually.

Plants

• Species Count: Approximately 300,000 species.
• Characteristics:
  • Multicellular.
  • Autotrophs: Obtain energy through photosynthesis.

Fungi

• Characteristics:
  • Can be multicellular (e.g., mushrooms) or unicellular (e.g., yeast).
  • Heterotrophs, often referred to as saprotrophs.
  • Mycelium: Made up of thread-like structures called hyphae.
  • Some are pathogens (e.g., athlete's foot).

Protists (Protista)

• Characteristics:
  • Mostly unicellular.
  • Includes plant-like species (e.g., Chlorella) and animal-like species (e.g., Amoeba).
  • Some can be pathogens (e.g., Plasmodium causes malaria).

Bacteria

• Characteristics:
  • Single-celled organisms.
  • Live in diverse environments (e.g., skin, intestines).
  • Some can photosynthesize, but lack chloroplasts.
  • Include helpful bacteria (e.g., aiding digestion) and harmful ones (e.g., Salmonella).

Viruses

• Characteristics:
  • Not living organisms, described as particles.
  • Made of a protein coat and genetic material (DNA/RNA).
  • Reproduce only inside living cells (parasites).
  • All are pathogens.
• Examples:
  • Influenza virus causes influenza.
  • Tobacco mosaic virus affects tobacco and tomato plants.
  • HIV causes AIDS.
  • COVID-19 virus.

Conclusion

• Focus on understanding general differences rather than memorizing details.
• Importance of recognizing these groups' characteristics and their interactions with humans and the environment.
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