five kingdom classification

Question

Which feature most strongly differentiates Fungi from Plantae in Whittaker's five kingdom classification?

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Whittaker's Criteria**: R.H. Whittaker used cell structure, body organization, mode of nutrition, reproduction, and phylogenetic relationships.
2. **Shared Features**: Both Fungi and Plantae contain eukaryotic cells, most are multicellular, and both possess cell walls.
3. **The Difference**: 
   - **Plantae**: Predominantly autotrophic (photosynthetic).
   - **Fungi**: Solely **heterotrophic** (saprophytic or parasitic). They absorb nutrients from organic matter.
4. **Cell Wall Composition**: While both have walls, plants have cellulose-based walls, whereas fungi have **chitinous** walls. However, the 'Mode of Nutrition' is the primary taxonomic divider in the five-kingdom logic.

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five kingdom classification

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