Diversity in Living World

Unlike non-living objects, living organisms share a constellation of distinctive characteristics that together define the state of being alive. There is no single criterion, but a combination of the following: These processes are orchestrated by genetic material (DNA or RNA), which carries the blueprint for life and is passed on through reproduction.

Taxonomy and classification provide the essential framework for making sense of the natural world, a dazzling spectacle of diversity. From microscopic bacteria to towering redwoods, from placid sponges to intelligent dolphins, millions of species thrive on our planet. This sheer abundance presents a fundamental challenge: how can we organize and understand it all? The answer lies

The Five Kingdom System of Classification was proposed by American ecologist Robert H. Whittaker in 1969. It was a major revision of the traditional two-kingdom system (Plants and Animals), based largely on: This system organized all living organisms into five broad kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. 1. KINGDOM MONERA Salient Features: Major Groups:

LICHENS Definition & Basic Concept Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungus (mycobiont) and a photosynthetic partner (photobiont). The photobiont is either green algae (commonly Trebouxia) or cyanobacteria (commonly Nostoc). Symbiotic Relationship Structure of Lichen Thallus Lichens have a stratified structure: Growth Forms (Morphological Types) Reproduction Ecological & Economic Importance Ecological Roles: Economic Uses: Interesting