This document summarizes the key differences between the old 5 kingdom and new 3 domain systems of classification for living organisms. It explains that the new system reflects a greater understanding of evolution and molecular evidence, and places all organisms into the three domains of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. Within these domains, prokaryotes are divided into Bacteria and Archaea, while eukaryotes include protists, plants, fungi and animals. The document then provides details on bacterial structure, diversity, metabolism, genetic variation, roles as pathogens and benefits to other organisms.