ICSE Class 7 Biology, Unit 2: Kingdom Classification

What this unit aims at

This theme gives an insight into the study of the types of Kingdoms in Plants and Animals. Living organisms are divided into two kingdoms – Kingdom Plantae and Kingdom Animalia. The kingdom Plantae includes plants, while the animals are included under kingdom Animalia. This two–kingdom classification was found inadequate in the light of disputed position of organisms like bacteria and fungi. In view of the objections to the two-kingdom system of classification, a Five-Kingdom Classification was proposed in 1969. The five Kingdoms are Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia.

Your child should be able to

• explain the purpose and advantages of classification
• explain the basis of 5-kingdom classification
• differentiate between major groups of organisms
• draw pictures of organisms representing each kingdom
• list the useful and harmful effects of bacteria and fungi
• infer that complex organisms have evolved from simple organisms (evolution of life)

Key concepts in this unit

• Meaning and concept of classification.
• Need and advantages of Classification.
• Characteristics of each kingdom with suitable examples:
• (i) Monera: bacteria - shape; useful bacteria, harmful bacteria (applications related to daily life to be discussed);
• (ii) Protista: Amoeba - basic structure and life processes (nutrition, locomotion, respiration, excretion and reproduction – by binary and multiple fission);
• (iii) Fungi: basic structure of mould, nutrition and respiration in mould, useful fungi, harmful fungi (applications related to daily life to be discussed);
• (iv) Plantae: characteristics and examples (classification of plantae not to be discussed);
• (v) Animalia (a) Vertebrates.
• (b) Invertebrates: 9 major Phyla, Porifera, Cnidaria, Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, nematoda, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata)
• (Two characteristics and two examples of each
• Phylum).