Question

To which kingdom Amoeba and Euglena belong in Whittaker’s classification?
A) Monera
B) Plantae
C) Protista
D) Animalia

Answer 1

Hint:The classifications of organisms are based on the structural arrangement, habitats, and type of cell; eukaryotic or prokaryotic, multicellular or unicellular. Based on these characteristics organisms are divided into five kingdoms.

Complete answer
To answer this question, we have to know the detailed classification of Whittaker. Whittaker gives the five kingdom classification that include; Monera, Protista, fungi, plantae, and animalia. Kingdom Monera includes all the prokaryotic unicellular organisms that do not have well defined nucleus and organelles, they include bacteria, mycoplasma, etc. The kingdom Protista includes all the eukaryotic unicellular organism, they are either autotrophs or heterotrophs, they have cilia or flagella or pseudopodia for movement, organisms like diatoms, amoeba, and protozoans are included in this kingdom. Kingdoms fungi are multicellular eukaryotes that include all the fungi, they are saprophytic in nature, have a rigid cell wall made up of chitin, and form a symbiotic association with blue-green algae, yeast, mushroom, and aspergillus are included in this kingdom. The kingdom plantae includes all the plants and they are multicellular organisms, autotrophic in nature. The kingdom animalia includes all the animals and they are heterotrophic in nature.
Now, as asked according to Whittaker’s classification, kingdom Amoeba and Euglena belong to kingdom Protista as they are unicellular eukaryotes.

Hence, the correct answer is ‘C’. Protista.

Note:The cilia and flagella that found in the organisms of kingdom Protista are used for movement but also used for the trap of prey for feeding. The diatoms of this kingdom have many commercial uses like those involved in the preparation of cosmetics.