The document summarizes the evolution of classification systems for living organisms from early two-kingdom systems to the current three domain system. It describes the five kingdom classification system proposed by Whittaker in 1969 that divides organisms into five kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia based on characteristics like cell structure and nutrition.

1. Classification
ALBIO9700/2012JK

2. The Five Kingdom Classification
• Early classifications suggested that
organisms could best be organised into 2
kingdoms – those having no cell walls,
whilst being motile and heterotrophic
(animals) and the rest (plants)
• Three-domain classification – prokaryotes
divided into 2 domains (bacteria and
archaea) with eukaryotes as a third
• Five kingdom classification – divides the
living world into 5 kingdoms
ALBIO9700/2012JK

3. Summary
Linnaeus Haeckel Chatton Copeland Whittaker Woese et al. Woese et al.
1735 1866 1937 1956 1969 1977 1990
2 3 2 4 5 6 kingdoms 3
kingdoms kingdoms empire kingdoms kingdoms domains
s
(not treated) Protista Prokaryota Monera Monera Eubacteria Bacteria
Archaebacteria Archaea
Eukaryota Protista Protista Protista Eukarya
Vegetabilia Plantae Fungi Fungi
Plantae Plantae Plantae
Animalia Animalia Animalia Animalia Animalia
ALBIO9700/2012JK

4. ALBIO9700/2012JK

5. ALBIO9700/2012JK

6. ALBIO9700/2006JK