Protists, fungi, plants, and animals are classified into the domain Eukarya. This domain includes all organisms that have cells with a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Unlike prokaryotic cells, which lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, eukaryotic cells are more complex and can form multicellular organisms.
Here’s a brief overview of each group within the Eukarya domain:
- Protists: A diverse group of mostly unicellular organisms, such as amoebas and algae.
- Fungi: Includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms, which are primarily decomposers.
- Plants: Multicellular organisms that perform photosynthesis, such as trees, flowers, and grasses.
- Animals: Multicellular organisms that are typically mobile and heterotrophic, including humans, insects, and mammals.
All these groups share the common characteristic of having eukaryotic cells, which distinguishes them from the other two domains: Bacteria and Archaea.