Kingdoms of Life - Assignment Example

Kingdoms of Life Overview of Characteristics of each Kingdom Kingdom Protista Organisms are mostly unicellular, have nucleus, and can be autotrophic or heterotrophic. Kingdom Fungi Organisms in this kingdom possess cell walls containing chitin, unlike cellulose present in cell walls of some protists and plants. Kingdom Plantae The kingdom includes all types of photosynthetic, multicellular, eukaryotic plants in the biosphere. Organisms in this category are autotrophs, that is, they manufacture their food using energy from the sun. A few species are both heterotrophs and autotrophs. Kingdom Animalia Organisms classified under Metazoans or the Kingdom Animalia have several characteristics: ingestive autotrophs; eukaryotic and multicellular (metazoans); possess some form of skeletal support; reproduce sexually; specialized cells for specific purposes; and indicate degrees of organization including cell, system, , tissue, and organ (Mayr, 394). Explanation and description of life cycles of Malaria, Rhizopus, fern, and frog Malaria Life cycle of malaria parasite consists of two hosts. In the process of blood meal, female Anopheles mosquito that is malaria-infected injects sporozoites into its host (human) (stage 1). Inoculated sporozoites then infect cells of the liver (stage 2) and develop into schizonts (stage 3), which finally burst and discharge merozoites (stage 4). Merozoites are responsible for infections in red blood cells. Rhizopus The life cycle of Rhizopus nigricans (black bread mold) is identical with several members of phylum Zygomycota. Mold experiences both frequent periods of sexual and asexual reproduction. Gametangia combine (fuse) in the first reproduction stage (sexual). The results from these fusions are Zygosporangium, which then forms a dense coat awaiting favorable conditions to proceed further with development. Favorable conditions will give way for germination of zygosporangium into sporangium. Finally, asexual reproduction follows. In asexual reproduction, sporangium produces spores, which are ultimately dispersed. Fern Ferns have sporangia that are responsible for production of spores (stage 1). Through meiosis, spores, signified by half the chromosomes of parent plant, are produced (stage 2). Produced spores are then released to the air. In case they land on soil with suitable growing conditions, they develop into gametophytes (which are entirely separate fern plants). Frog The life cycle begins with mating process-commonly referred to as amplexus (stage 1). The process can last a number of days. Fertilization by the male takes place as eggs are laid (stage 2). Some frogs decide to watch over the mass or single line of eggs while others leave after amplexus and fertilization. Hatching into tadpoles takes place after six to 12 days depending on the frog species (stage 3). By the 12th week, tadpoles shall have developed into young frogs. Adult frogs develop between the 12th and 16th weeks. How the Kingdom Protista is subdivided The kingdom is subdivided into three basic groups depending on lifestyle: the multi and unicellular algae (plant like), protozoans (animal like), and slime molds (the fungus-like). Animal-like protists- protozoan phyla that are currently recognized are grouped under: Ciliophora (ciliates) Zoomastigophora (flagellates) Apicomplexa (ancient sporozoans) Foraminifera (foraminiferans) Actinopoda (heliozoans and radiolarians) Rhizopoda (amoebas) Plant-like protists-the main phylum is Chlorophyta (for example Volvox). Algal protists include photosynthetic organisms characterized by the presence of chlorophyll. Several are flagellates. Why protozoans are animal like Protozoa are viewed as animal-like because a number of organisms in this group live by food ingestion, instead of synthesizing or manufacturing their own food like plants. How mushrooms are divided into phyla Firstly, phyla of fungi are classified based on organisms in the Kingdom Fungi produce spores (sexual). Mushrooms are categorized into basidiomycota because they produce spores externally on the basidium (club-shaped structure). Differences between Subdivisions of Plantae The subdivisions of plant kingdom include: -bryophyte -hepatophyta, - anthocerotophyta, -chlorophyta, -pteridophyta, -coniferophyta -magnoliophyta. Subdivision in this kingdom depends on the following differences: whether the plants are non-vascular (for example, bryophyte, hepatophyta, anthocerotophyta, chlorophyta) whether the plants are vascular with spores (pteridophyta, lycopodiophyta, equisetophyta, psilophyta) or whether the plants are vascular with seeds (coniferophyta, magnoliophyta, ginkophyta, cycadophyta, and gnetophyta) Types of symmetry in Kingdom Animalia Asymmetrical Organisms in this category have no basic structures around any axis. Example: sponges Radial Has bottom and top, but no rear, front, right or left Example: jellyfish Bilateral Has right and left, posterior (rear), anterior (front), ventral (bottom), and dorsal (top). Organisms in this group also exhibit cephalization-the concentration of feeding and sensory sections to the front. Example: Humans Benefits of possessing coelom Coeloms help in the independent movement of enclosed body organs and wall. They provide adequate space for sophisticated (organ) and organ system. Organisms possessing this structure benefit from the space available for sperm and egg storage. Finally, coeloms stores fluids that protect internal body organs, in addition to providing nutrients and oxygen to cells, Comparing asexual and sexual reproduction in Kingdom Animalia giving examples for each -Asexual reproduction involves reproduction by an individual organism without the normal production of gametes (Velasquez-Manoff, 25). -Sexual reproduction involves fusion of gametes from two different organisms to form a zygote. -Asexual reproduction usually leads to the realization of offspring that are genetically identical. -zygote formed in sexual reproduction develops into organism with a new genetic variation -asexual reproduction mainly occurs in microorganisms (kingdoms protoctista and prokaryotae), and in plants through multiple or binary cell fusion. An example is Amoeba paramecium plasmodium. -sexual reproduction takes place in almost all animal and plant species. -Asexual reproduction has rapid production of offspring in large numbers. -Sexual reproduction is characterized by less or reduced rise of numbers. Reasons why phylum arthropoda is considered most successful -They occupy varied ranges of geographical locations hence their ability to minimize competition in their habitats -In their developing stages (except for a few cases), arthropods food on various food resources, thereby enhancing food availability in stage of development. -they are highly motile -they have simple life cycles, but high reproductive rates. Special feature of class mammalia regarding reproduction Generally, several mammalian species engage in either promiscuous (both females and males having multiple mates in specific reproductive seasons) or polygynous (multiple females mates with one male) mating. Since females experience high lactation and gestation costs, it tends to be case that males are capable of producing more offspring in a single mating season. Consequently, the most common system for mating is polygyny, characterized by less number of males fertilizing several females and several males fertilizing no male species. Differences within chordates (subgroup vertebrates) Fish -Fish have their bodies covered in scales. -attached fins aid in mobility -breathing or respiration is through gills that absorb oxygen from water (ITeachBio, 1). -during mating (between female and male), sperm often meet the egg in the water, thus fertilization is external Amphibians -since they use their thin skins to breathe, they have to keep them wet -presence of small lungs does not aid much in respiration. -egg fertilization is external, often happening in the water. Jelly covers the eggs for protection. -larvae (tadpoles) are aquatic. -they metamorphose (slowly change) into adult forms that live on land neighboring water bodies (ITeachBio, 1). Reptiles -breathing is conducted through lungs -many of them live on land despite swimming and feeding capabilities of a number of reptiles -reproduction is through internal fertilization when female and male mate. Females often lay eggs (soft-shelled) that are buried in the earth or sand to provide them protection while young ones are developing. Birds -breathing is through lungs -they have internal fertilization and eggs have hard shells -most birds often incubate eggs until hatching process Mammals -they exhibit internal fertilization and the young are fed milk from females’ mammary glands -most are viviparous, that is, offspring are kept in the females body while feeding is conducted via the placenta -breathing is through the nose Works Cited Mayr, Ernst. "Concepts of classification and nomenclature in higher organisms and microorganisms." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 56.3 (1953): 391-397. ITeachBio. “Chapter 30 fishes and amphibians.” Retrieved June 5, 2014, from http://www.iteachbio.com/Marine-Biology/FishesSummary.pdf Velasquez-Manoff, Moises. "Why Organisms Reproduce the Way they do." The Christian Science Monitor: 25. Jul 31 2009. ProQuest. Web. 5 June 2014 . Read More