The Five Kingdoms of Life: R.H. Whittaker (1969) proposed a Five Kingdom system of classification. Five kingdom system of classification is based on:
1. Mode of nutrition (main)
2. Cell structure and complexity
3. Phylogenetic relationship
4. Body organization
5. Reproduction

Five kingdom system different kingdoms

In the five kingdom system different kingdoms are as following:
1. Monera : Prokaryotes e.g. bacteria and cyanobacteria.
2. Protista : Unicellular eukaryotes e.g. unicellular algae, diatoms and protozoans.
3. Fungi : Multicellular decomposers e.g. fungi and moulds.
4. Plantae : Multicellular producers, e.g. plants.
5. Animalia : Multicellular consumers, e.g. animals.

Merits of The Five Kingdoms of Life

1) Better relationship among organisms with reference to levels of organization
2) Clear cut representation of mode of nutrition.
3) Better evolutionary trend reflecting gradual evolution of complex organisms from simpler ones.
4) Better placement of certain controversial groups like cyanobacteria, fungi and euglenoids.
5) Separation of kingdom Fungi from Plantae is justified as the fungi have their own type of structural, physiological as well as biochemical properties.

Demerits of The Five Kingdoms of Life

1) Dilemma regarding the position of virus.
2) Poor understanding about microbial biodiversity, as the archaebacteria and bacteria are kept under the same single kingdom Monera.
3) Improper grouping of kingdom Protista, as it includes organisms with diverse form, structure and life cycle.
4) Inclusion of dinoflagellates under Protista is not logical, as they are not eukaryotic rather mesokaryotic.
5 Slime moulds placed under Protista differ considerably from the rest of protists.

Characteristics of The Five Kingdoms of Life

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By Team Learning Mantras