This kingdom contains all the prokaryotic cells that lack membrane-bound nuclei and membrane-bound organelles.    Two major groups exist the Eubacteria (true bacteria) and the Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)

1. No Nucleus

2. No membrane bound-organelles
 
 

3 Shapes of Bacteria  (400X)  All 3 shapes are evident

 
 

This kingdom is composed of eukaryotic organisms and includes single celled heterotrophs (protozoa);   unicellular, multinucleate heterotrophs (slime molds); as well as unicellular and multicellular algae which are autotrophs.

Eukaryotic - cells are equipped with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Heterotroph - utilize organic sources to for energy

Autotroph - "self-sustaining"  these organisms harvest energy from inorganic sources.  The principle autotrophs are photosynthetic.
 
 

Amoebae proteus - An amoeboid protozoan.   Motility is by extension of a pseudopod that attaches to the subtrate and pulls the amoeba along a surface.

 

Paramecium caudatum - is a  ciliated protozoan.  Its motility  is via cilia located on the cell  surface

 

 
 
 
 

Trypanosoma rhodesiense is a parasitic protozoan classified in the subphylum Mastigophora because it is motile by means of flagella.  It can therefore be termed a flagellate protozoan.  This particular species is transmitted by the tsetse fly and causes "sleeping sickness".

 

The organisms pictured here represent the genus Euglena, tiny greeen flagellates among the most common inhabitants of murky pond water.  These organisms have choloplasts wtih pigments identical to that of the Chlorophyta (green algae), but these algae lack cellulose cell walls.   Although chloroplasts are present, the organism is not completely autotrophic and can ingest particles of food by phagocytosis.  The euglenaophytes remind us that there are few reliable distinctions between protozoa and unicellular algae.  All these organisms are protists.

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Spirogyra scaliform  is a green algae .The helical structures contained within this specimen are chloroplasts.  Most botanists believe this type of autotroph represents the ancestors of the plant kingdom.

 
 
 

The fungi were formerly classified as plants, however, all fungi are eukaryotic heterotrophs and require a pre-formed source of organic energy source. The cells of the fungi are long and filamentous and called hyphae.   In the higher fungi these hyphae fuse to form a body called the mycelium .  Hyphae may take on specialized functions.   This kingdom is very broad and includes yeasts, breadmolds, mushrooms and toadstools.
 
 
 

Rhizopus nigricans is a common bread mold (often called filamentous fungi).  Elongated cells (hyphae) are easily noted.  Some of these hyphae take on the specialized function of raising reproductive structures called sporangia. Spores released from the sporangia will give rise to the next generation.   Because many of the filamentous fungi have scanty nutritional requirements and can fix there own nitrogen you have likely found them in many places.

 
 

Yeast (Saccharamyces cerviscae) are not typical fungi.  They are composed of the "sac-like" cells seen here.  Common bread and wine yeasts are of the same species.  They reproduce asexually by "budding" , an asymmetrical form of cell division.  Further, they are capable of sexual reproduction.   Yeast may be the oldest domesticated organisms.