What Are the Major Types of Organisms in Biology?
Different Types of Organisms
The term organism derived from the Greek word “organismos”, which means any kind of organism. Taxonomy classifies the organism in several groups according to their morphological and anatomical characteristics. An organism can develop with the course of time, it reproduces and it can respond to stimuli. The organism may be prokaryotes or it is also considered to be eukaryotes. Prokaryotes are the cells or organisms that lack a proper nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. On the other hand, eukaryotes are the cell or organisms that have a proper distinguishing nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. All organisms are considered to be the basic aspect of the form of life on the earth.
Types of Organisms
On the basis of mode of nutrition, organisms can be differentiated in 2 types.
Producers – Producers are the organisms, which are not dependent on others for food. They can produce it in their own body. These organisms are also called autotrophs.
For Example: Plants
Consumers – Consumers are the organisms that are dependent on other animals or plants for food.
It can be further divided into 7 types.
Herbivores: Herbivores feed on the plants and vegetative materials.
Example: cow, goatCarnivores: Carnivores are the organisms that feed on the flesh of other animals.
Example: tiger, lionOmnivores: These are organisms that eat both plants and animals.
Example: crow, henParasites: Parasites are the organisms that live on the body of other animals and take nutrients from that host body. It causes damage to the host body and eventually kills it.
Example: Tapeworm, FleaScavengers: Scavengers are the organisms that feed on dead and decaying animals or plants.
Example: Hyenas, Coyotes.Decomposers: They breakdown the dead plant or organisms and feed on the organic matter produced due to breakdown.
Example: Winter fungus, Slugs.
Types of Kingdoms in Biology
In 1969 R.H. Whittaker divided the organisms on the basis of cell structure, mode of nutrition, body organization, and reproduction.
Kingdom Monera – Kingdom monera contains all the unicellular organisms with prokaryotic cells containing the 70S ribosome. It's further divided into three phyla types,i.e, archaebacteria, eubacteria, cyanobacteria.
Kingdom Protista – Kingdom Protista consists of unicellular organisms with a eukaryotic cell. All organisms have a well-defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles in their cells.
Kingdom Fungi – All organisms of this kingdom are multicellular eukaryotes. The organisms can reproduce sexually or asexually. Kingdom fungi are further divided into five phyla, i.e, Chytridiomycosis, Ascomycota, Glomeromycota, Basidiomycota.
Kingdom Animalia – Kingdom Animalia consist of eukaryotic animals. They do not possess chlorophyll in their body. They are further divided into 11 phyla,i.e, Porifera, Cnidarian, Ctenophore, Platyhelminthes, Aschelminthes, Annelida, arthropods, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Hemichordate, Chordate.
Kingdom Plantae – Kingdom Plantae consists of all plants and the majority of them are autotrophs as they have chlorophyll and they use photosynthesis to produce their food. This kingdom is further divided into five phyla, i.e, Thallophyta, Bryophyte, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms.
5 Types of Microorganisms
Microorganisms are tiny organisms that exist as unicellular, multicellular, or cluster of cells on the earth.
Bacteria – The members of this are considered to be unicellular prokaryotes and belong to the kingdom monera. They have a cell wall. The members under this category have mainly four shapes and are named after their shapes.
Some examples are rod-shaped – bacillus, spiral shape – spirilla, spherical shape – coccus, curved shape – vibrio.
Fungi – These are the multicellular eukaryotic microscopic organisms. They have a cell wall made up of chitin and they reproduce through spores.
Protozoa – These are the unicellular eukaryotic microscopic organisms. They are considered to be aerobic which further states that they need air or O2 to survive.
Algae – These are autotrophic microorganisms and are also known as blue-green algae or cyanobacteria. They are found to live in a moist habitat.
Virus – Virus is the non-cellular microscopic organism. They only consist of nucleic acid that is DNA or either RNA. They can reproduce only in a host body.
FAQs on Types of Organisms: Classification and Examples
1. What exactly is an organism in Biology?
In biology, an organism is any single, complete living being. This includes everything from a microscopic, single-celled bacterium to a complex, multicellular animal like a tiger or a plant like a banyan tree. To be classified as an organism, it must be able to perform essential life processes, such as growing, metabolising energy, responding to its environment, and reproducing.
2. What are the main types of organisms based on their cell structure?
Based on their fundamental cell structure, all organisms are divided into two major groups:
- Prokaryotes: These are simple organisms whose cells do not have a true nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles. Their genetic material is found floating in the cytoplasm. Bacteria are the most common examples.
- Eukaryotes: These are more complex organisms. Their cells contain a well-defined nucleus that houses the genetic material, as well as specialised organelles like mitochondria. All animals, plants, and fungi are eukaryotes.
3. Can you give some common examples of different types of organisms?
Certainly! The diversity of organisms is vast. Here are a few examples from different biological kingdoms:
- Animal: Human, butterfly, fish, earthworm.
- Plant: Sunflower, fern, mango tree, grass.
- Fungus: Mushroom, yeast (used in baking), mould.
- Protist: Amoeba, Paramecium, algae.
- Bacterium: E. coli, Lactobacillus (used to make curd).
4. How do scientists classify organisms into so many different groups?
Scientists use a system called taxonomic hierarchy to classify organisms in an organised way, from the broadest group to the most specific one. This helps in studying their evolutionary relationships. The main levels of this classification are:
- Kingdom (e.g., Animalia, Plantae)
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species (the most specific group)
5. Besides cell type, what is another major way to categorise organisms?
A very important way to categorise organisms is by how they obtain their food and energy. This divides them into two main types:
- Autotrophs: These are 'self-feeders' that create their own food, typically using sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. All green plants, algae, and some bacteria are autotrophs.
- Heterotrophs: These organisms cannot produce their own food. They get energy by consuming other organisms. All animals and fungi are examples of heterotrophs.
6. How do different types of organisms like producers and decomposers interact in an ecosystem?
In any ecosystem, different organisms play distinct roles to maintain a balance. Producers, like plants, create food from sunlight. Consumers, like animals, eat producers or other consumers. Finally, decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, break down dead organic matter. This process recycles nutrients back into the soil, which producers then use to grow, creating a continuous and vital cycle of energy and life.
7. Why are viruses often not considered to be living organisms?
Viruses exist on the fascinating boundary between living and non-living things. They are not considered true living organisms because they lack a cellular structure and cannot perform life processes, like reproduction, on their own. A virus is essentially just genetic material (DNA or RNA) in a protein coat. It must infect a living host cell and take over its machinery to make copies of itself, acting more like a parasite than an independent organism.
