Kingdom Monera
Key words
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This kingdom is made up of the simplest living organisms and includes bacteria and cyanobacteria. They are all single-celled organisms whose cells do not have a nucleus. They are also known as prokaryotes.
Bacteria form a very large and diverse group of microscopic, single-celled organisms. Therefore the size of a bacterium is extremely small, around that of a micrometer (1/1000 mm). They can live just about anywhere such as the sea, fresh water sources, the soil, the air and even in the digestive system of other animals including human beings.
Bacteria form a very large and diverse group of microscopic, single-celled organisms. Therefore the size of a bacterium is extremely small, around that of a micrometer (1/1000 mm). They can live just about anywhere such as the sea, fresh water sources, the soil, the air and even in the digestive system of other animals including human beings.
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Some are autotrophic, but the majority are heterotrophic and they feed off organic matter. They reproduce by binary fission, meaning a mother bacterium gives rise to two daughter bacteria.
Some bacteria can cause illness in humans and other living beings, such as tetanus. However, the vast majority are vital to all organisms sense they decompose organic material (and the subsequent recycling of nutrients). |
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Other bacteria are beneficial to us such as the intestinal flora, inside our digestive tract. And other bacteria are used in the production of certain foods such as yogurt or cheese.
In spite of their size, bacteria are the most resistant organisms on the planet.
Cyanobacteria are a group of autotrophic monerans. They make their own food utilizing the energy from sunlight. They have pigments which give them a very characteristic colour. They are found in aquatic environments and in wet soils. In some places they are very abundant, such as the Red sea, which takes its name due to the abundance of these organisms.
In spite of their size, bacteria are the most resistant organisms on the planet.
Cyanobacteria are a group of autotrophic monerans. They make their own food utilizing the energy from sunlight. They have pigments which give them a very characteristic colour. They are found in aquatic environments and in wet soils. In some places they are very abundant, such as the Red sea, which takes its name due to the abundance of these organisms.
3 most common shapes of prokaryotes
Points to remember:
•No nucleus
•May have circular loop of DNA
•No chromosomes
•No membrane bound organelles
•May have circular loop of DNA
•No chromosomes
•No membrane bound organelles
Extra Information:
•Smaller cells.
•Can be free-living or parasitic.
•Reproduce mainly by binary fission (splitting in half), but some can reproduce sexually.
•Can be free-living or parasitic.
•Reproduce mainly by binary fission (splitting in half), but some can reproduce sexually.
