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Kingdom is the largest groups of organisms. Species is the smallest group of organisms” capable of producing fertile
offspring”
Viruses do not feed, respire or reproduce on their own as such it is debatable whether they are living or non-living
organisms. They are just in their own class.
BACTERIA
(blue green algae, ecoli, spirilium, bacillus)
STRUCTURE
A) Structural characteristics
It is a unicellular organism
Has no nucleus but rather have chromosome which are not enclosed in any membrane
Their cell walls are made up of lipids, proteins and sugars instead of cellulose
Each bacteria cell contains a single chromosome consisting of circular strands of DNA
Some have filaments (whip like structures) called flagella which aid in movement
Some bacteria have slime capsule outside their cell walls
They have different shapes. Some rods, spheres and spirals.
Some have chlorophyll but not chloroplast.
B) Feeding characteristics
Some bacteria contain a photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll) and can build up their own food by
photosynthesis.
Light
(Hydrogen sulphide + carbon dioxide Carbohydrates + water)
Bacteria Chlorophyll
Most bacteria do not have chlorophyll hence they do not photosynthesize and they can obtain food
from;
a) Other living things (parasites)
b) Dead organic matter (saprophytes)
The saprophytes secrete enzymes onto the organic matter so that digestion is outside the organism. The organism
then absorbs the soluble product of digestion.
C) Reproduction
1. They reproduce asexually by binary fission; each cell dividing in to 2 daughter cells. E.g. each cell division
takes place every 20 minutes.
2. Sexually by genetic recombination (transfer of DNA between bacteria through special tubes). DNA bodies
divide equally during cell division with half going to each daughter cell.
The bacteria which cause diseases are called PATHOGENS. The organism in which they live and reproduce is called
a HOST. Most bacteria also produce poisonous waste products called TOXINS. The toxins are produced by the
CLOSITRIDIUM bacteria (which causes tetanus). It is as little as 0.0002g and is very fatal.
VIRUSES
STRUCTURE
They are on the border line between living and non-living because they can only survive and reproduce inside the living
cells e.g. herpes, influenza and polio viruses.
A) Structural characteristics
Non cellular (not cells) and do not have nucleus , cytoplasm, cell organelles or cell membranes
Very tiny particles, much smaller than bacteria ( 50 times smaller than bacteria) and can only be seen by an
electron microscope( 20-300 nm)
Consists of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) forming the central core of the virus
DNA or RNA is surrounded by a protein coat called capsid
Found in different shapes; can be rod like, spherical or hexagonal (has a tail).
B) Reproduction
In order for the virus to reproduce they must penetrate into a living cell by first attaching to the cell membrane of the
host cell & then either;
Injects its DNA / RNA into the cell’s cytoplasm or
The whole virus may be taken in, after which it gets uncoated in the host cell.
The genetic material replicates & multiplies inside the host cell; it takes over the cell’s activities. Eventually the cell
bursts & releases the new virus which can infect other cells.
C) Nutrition
Viruses do not feed.
Human viruses include the common cold, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, chickenpox, rubella, influenza & HIV.
Structure
A) Structural Characteristics
They lack chlorophyll
Have rigid cell walls containing chitin (a nitrogen – containing polysaccharide)
Body is usually a mycelium, a network of fine tubular filaments called Hyphae
They are non-motile (cannot move)
B) Reproduction
Some reproduce sexually by conjugation e.g. moulds
Some asexually by forming spores e.g. penicillium, mushroom etc. when a spore lands on a suitable organic
matter or new host it germinates to produce mycelium without involvement of gametes.
Some through budding e.g. yeast
C) Nutrition
Since fungi do not contain chlorophyll they cannot make their own food, hence depend on other organisms for food.
Unlike animals which ingest food & later digest before absorption, fungi absorb soluble food products which they do not
need to digest. If digestion is required then it is done externally using extra cellular enzymes (enzymes secreted onto
the food material to digest it outside their cells).
Some fungi are saprotrophs (saprophytes), they feed on dead organic matter. This kind of fungi produces a
variety of digestive enzymes. E.g. Penicillium, mucor, yeast etc.
Some are parasites which feed on living plants & animals. Some of these parasites may cause diseases or
eventually kill the host & feed on the dead remains. E.g. ringworm is caused by fungi.
Penicillium is a genus of a mould, fungi that grow on decaying vegetable matter, damp leather and citrus fruits. The
mycelium grows over the food, digesting it & absorbing nutrients. The vertical Hyphae grow from mycelium & at their
tips produce chains of spores.
PROTOZOA
These belong to a kingdom of organisms called Protoctista. Protozoa have features close to those of animal cells.
Examples;
A) Structural Characteristics
They are unicellular
They do not contain chlorophyll
They have a nucleus, cell membrane but no cell wall.
They have vacuole by which they remove excess water (contractile vacuole)
They move by flowing movements of their cytoplasmic fluids and by the use of cilia (tiny hairs found on their
surfaces)
B) Nutrition
They are heterotrophic – they feed on ready made food materials or other organisms such as bacteria, algae, decaying
organic matter.
C) Reproduction
They reproduce asexually by binary fission whereby – the parent organism duplicates its genetic material & then
separate into two organisms.
(Diagram of fission)
Chills
Violent shivering
Profuse (excessive) sweating
Fever
Tiredness, increased pulse rate and anaemia
ii) Cure
Malaria can be treated through the use of drugs, e.g. chloroquin
By draining swamps, this prevents the mosquito from breeding, i.e. no where to lay eggs.
This can be a problem in that livestock will not have water to drink.
ANGIOSPERMS (FLOWERING PLANTS)
More than 80% of plants are angiosperms.
A) Structural Characteristics
Have large leaf surface which allows high rate of photosynthesis
Have vascular system – to transport water, ions & organic solutes
Have cuticle (water proof) – to reduce water loss to the atmosphere
Have ovary – to protect the ovules & developing embryo
They range small herbs to big trees
MONOCOTYLEDONS DICOTYLEDONS
Have one seed leaf (1 cotyledon) Have two seed leaves (2 cotyledons)
Vascular bundles are scattered on the stem The vascular bundles are arranged in a ring
Have narrow leaves with parallel veins They have broad leaves with a network of veins
Have adventitious roots from the base of the stem giving Have a tap root system that develops lateral roots
rise to a fibrous root system
B) Nutrition
There are autotrophic, i.e. can photosynthesize to produce their own food
C) Reproduction
They reproduce sexually because they produce male & female gametes.
GREEN ALGAE
They are believed to be the most immediate relatives of the green land plants. They belong to the phylum chlorophyta,
and are mostly found in They can live virtually wherever there is sunlight and adequate moisture. Algae are found in
freshwater lakes, ponds, streams, swamps, on moist soil, wood, and throughout the sunlit zones of the marine
environment, as well as on the snowfields and in thermal hot springs.
A) Structure
Have photosynthetic pigment called chlorophyll in chloroplasts
Store carbohydrates as starch
They are of a large range of types e.g. unicellular, filamentous, colonial & thylloid
They have cellulose cell wall
Some have pigment spot (red eye spot) to detect light sand move towards it. E.g. Chlamydomonas
B) Reproduction
This can either be (i) sexual or (ii) asexual
(i) Sexual reproduction – This involves the combination of genetic material from two individuals of the same
species as in spirogyras & Chlamydomonas.
C) Nutrition
They are autotrophic – can make their own food through photosynthesis.
VERTEBRATES
General Characteristics
Have endoskeleton
Have backbone (vertebral column)
- Have 4 fins - 4 limbs in adults - 4 limbs except in - 2 legs & front limbs - Have 4 limbs
STRUCTURE - Wet scaly skin - wet smooth skin snakes which form wings - Hair (fur) on skin
- Have gills for breathing - Gills in tadpoles & lungs - Dry scaly skin - Have feathers - Have lungs
in adults - Have lungs
ARTHROPODS
General Characteristics
Have exoskeleton
Have segmented body
Have jointed legs
- Have 3 body segments; Head, - Have 2 body sections; - Have 2 body sections; - Have 2 body sections
Thorax, Abdomen Cephalothorax, Abdomen Head, segmented body - No wings
STRUCTURE - Have 6 legs (3 pairs) - Have 8 legs (4 pairs) - No wings - 2 pairs of antennae
- Have 2 pairs of wings - No antennae but have - Many legs
- Have a pair of antennae chelicerae instead - One pair of antennae
- Compound eyes - No wings - Have simple eyes