Classification of Microscopic Life

Linnaeus (aka Carolus Linneus / Carl Von Linne)
Categorized all things into three kingdoms: the inanimate into chemicals, and the living into plants and animals


 * - Plants are capable of photosynthesis, are usually green, have a cell wall, have spores, and are NOT capable of independent movement.


 * - Organisms that would be placed into this category include bacteria because they have a cell wall, and fungi due to their cell wall and spores.


 * - Animals are NOT capable of photosynthesis, do NOT have cell walls or spores, but are capable of independent movement.


 * - Protozoa would be classified as animals because they are capable of independent movement

Whittaker (1969)

 * Categorized living organisms into two categories: prokaryotic and eukaryotic
 * - Prokaryotic (pro=before, karyote=nucleus) cells have ribosomes, but no membranous organelles such as a nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplast, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), or golgi bodies.
 * - Ex. Monera (Prokaryotae), all bacteria

Bacteria: most are absorptive heterotrophs
 * - Eukaryotic (eu=true, karyote=nucleus): have both membranous organelles and ribosomes


 * - Ex. Protista, Fungi, Plants, Animals

Carl Woese (1978)

 * Categorized all living things into 3 domains using DNA and RNA
 * 1) Bacteria: prokaryotes that contain Murein in cell wall and have cell membranes bonded by ester linkages.


 * 2) Archaea: prokaryotes that do NOT contain Murein in cell wall and have ether linkages.


 * 3) Eukarya: cells with membranous organelles


 * a: Protista: simple plants,animals or fungi


 * b: Fungi: complex eukaryotes that have hyphae made of chitin


 * c: Plants: complex eukaryotes with the ability to photosynthesize


 * d: Animals: complex eukaryotes that eat things

Non-living
Viruses