2.2 Kingdom Classification: Monera

Characteristics of Kingdom Monera

  • Unicellular: Single-celled organisms.
  • Prokaryotic: Lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
  • Cell Wall: Most have a cell wall (not made of cellulose).
  • Nutrition: Can be autotrophic (photosynthetic/chemosynthetic) or heterotrophic.
  • Reproduction: Primarily by binary fission.

Bacteria

  • Shape:
    • Cocci: Spherical (e.g., Streptococcus)
    • Bacilli: Rod-shaped (e.g., Lactobacillus)
    • Spirilla: Spiral-shaped (e.g., Spirillum)
    • Vibrio: Comma-shaped (e.g., Vibrio cholerae)

Useful Bacteria (Applications)

  • Food Production: Yogurt, cheese, buttermilk, vinegar.
  • Medicine: Antibiotics (e.g., Streptomycin), vaccines.
  • Agriculture: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium) enrich soil fertility.
  • Decomposition: Break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients.
  • Bioremediation: Clean up oil spills and pollutants.

Harmful Bacteria (Applications)

  • Diseases: Cause diseases in humans (e.g., Cholera, Tuberculosis, Typhoid), animals, and plants.
  • Food Spoilage: Cause food to rot and become unfit for consumption.
  • Denitrification: Convert nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen, reducing soil fertility.