MONERA

Prokaryotes (no nucleus);  always unicellular (single-celled).  Bacteria.  May have plant, fungus, or animal characteristics.

ARCHAEA

Prokaryotes;  always unicellular.  Adapted to unusual and/or extreme conditions, such as very hot, very salty, or no-oxygen environments.  Have several different cellular chemistries from Monera.

PROTISTA

Eukaryotes (nucleus in cell);  mostly unicellular, or collections of very similar cells.  May have plant, fungus, or animal characteristics.

PLANTAE

Eukaryotes;  multicellular;  capable of photosynthesis, production of complex molecules from simple molecules using light.

ANIMALIA

Eukaryotes;  multicellular;  must obtain complex food molecules from external source, broken down and absorbed internally.  Usually capable of movement.

FUNGI

Eukaryotes;  almost all multicellular;  must obtain complex food molecules from external source, absorbed through external surface.  Almost never capable of movement.

KINGDOM MONERA

Kingdom Monera includes the bacteria and blue-green algae. These are the simplest of all living organisms. They differ from members of the four other kingdoms because they are single-celled organisms with little organization to their cell structure. Monerans are cells with no membrane-bound structure protecting their genetic material. They reproduce by simply dividing into two separate cells.

Blue-green algae and some bacteria make their own food from sunlight, like green plants do. Some bacteria use nitrogen, sulphur, hydrogen, or iron to create their food. However most bacteria break down and absorb compounds made by other organisms. Bacteria are necessary organisms in most ecological systems. The cycling of nitrogen, which is essential for plant and animal growth, depends upon bacteria. Dead and dying material is broken down by bacteria and fungi, allowing nutrients to be recycled. Bacteria or algae form the main food source for many other organisms. In 1 g of fertile agricultural soil, there may be 2.5 billion bacteria, up to 400,000 fungi, 50,000 algae, and 30,000 protozoans.

BACTERIA (Escherichia coli)

Bacteria can be found from hot springs to deep-sea vents, and from deserts to polar ice. Many bacteria live in association with plants and animals. Bacteria that normally live in an animal may survive on dead skin cells, in digested food in the intestines, or by absorbing nutrients directly from living tissues. They benefit the host animal by aiding digestion, producing vitamins and minerals, and inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. Bacteria normally found in humans include Staphylococcus epidermis on the skin, Staphylococcus aureus in the nostrils, and Escherichia coli--one of the most common bacteria in the intestine.

Most bacteria reproduce by simply splitting in two. Under the best conditions, a population of Escherichia coli can double in number every 12.5 minutes. Bacteria can multiply so rapidly that mutations appear and allow the population to adapt to changing conditions. In one individual Escherichia coli there are about 5,000 genes. One in 200 bacteria is likely to have a mutant characteristic on one of these genes. The ability of bacteria to quickly adapt to changing environments is the main reason for their success as an organism.

KINGDOM FUNGI

Members of the kingdom Fungi include about 100,000 species of molds, yeasts, and fungi. They have simple cell structures and form multiple cell associations, but they do not have locomotory or nervous systems. They can use both sexual and asexual methods for reproduction. These organisms differ from green plants because they cannot convert solar energy to sugars. They must absorb nutrients from dead or living organic material. Fungi do not have cellulose as the main compound forming their cell walls, as do green plants.

Fungi play a vital role in the world's ecosystems. Some live on dead organic matter, decomposing and recycling materials. Other fungi are parasites that attach living plants or animals. Some fungi cooperate with trees and shrubs to exchange essential nutrients.

CHANTERELLE (Cantharellus cibarius)

A mushroom is the fruiting body of a fungus that typically appears above ground and contains its reproductive units called spores. Certain mushroom species contain toxins, while others are edible, comprising an important food source for other wildlife. Boletes, morels, and chanterelles are three groups of North American fungi that are savoured by humans.

The chanterelle is one of nine species of chanterelles found in the north-east. It is usually recognized by its bright yellow to orange cap, which indents in the centre and has a wavy margin. Forked, thick ridges descend the stalk. Chanterelles can be odourless or smell like ripe apricots. The flesh of this mushroom is similar to a dried apricot. Chanterelles vary in size with rooms appear above ground in July and August. They may be found scattered singly or in groups under hardwoods or softwoods

KINGDOM PLANTAE

The kingdom Plantae includes all the higher green organisms known as plants. There are more than 273,000 species worldwide, including liverworts, mosses, lichens, and seed and flowering plants. They all have two types of chlorophyll--the green pigment that allows the conversion of solar energy to food sugars. Plants are multi-cellular. Their cells are separated into different tissues and organs specialized for making food, transporting food and water, and supporting their bodies. Most plants use sexual reproduction.

PINK COREOPSIS (Coreopsis rosea)

The Atlantic coastal plain flora is a group of plant specie that grows on gently sloping sand and gravel shorelines of fresh water. They occur in areas of low nutrients and fluctuating water levels, where competition from other plants is reduced. Representatives of this group are found in southwestern Nova Scotia, where their populations have been isolated from those in the eastern United States since the last ice age.

Pink coreopsis, also known as pink tickseed, is restricted to the Tusket River watershed in Yarmouth County. It is a 20 cm to 60 cm tall perennial herb with thin pairs of opposite leaves. It is easily recognized by its small flowers, which have pink outer rays and yellow inner disks. The growing season for pink coreopsis extends from late April to early November, flowering from mid-July to mid-September. New plants may be generated from vegetative shoots or from seeds.

Pink coreopsis is a species-at-risk. Other Atlantic coastal plain flora that are species-at-risk include the water pennywort, plymouth gentian, and golden crest. Populations are easily affected by recreational use of shorelines, cottage development, and dam or reservoir construction.

KINGDOM PROTISTA

The kingdom Protista is used to group most single-celled organisms, except bacteria and blue-green algae. Protista is a large and variable group containing both plant and animal characteristics. This group includes about 50,000 species of protozoans (first animals) and between 8,000 and 12,000 species of algae (simple plants).

Protists are mostly microscopic and have no organs or tissues. They are single-celled but may occur in colonies. They may be free-living on land or in water, or live in association with other plants and animals. Locomotion is achieved by waving tiny hair-like threads. Different organisms obtain nutrients by one of three methods: direct absorption from the surrounding environment, eating other plants and animals, or by making their own through photosynthesis.

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AMOEBA (Amoeba proteus)

An amoeba is an organism that is readily found in pond water and gets it's name from the Greek word for change, amoibe. The outline of the single-celled body changes constantly as it moves and has no permanent shape. The freshwater amoeba is typical of this group. Oxygen and carbon dioxide for respiration pass freely through the delicate cell membrane. Amoebas multiply by simply dividing in two. If food or water becomes scarce, they can survive as inactive cysts until conditions improve.

Amoebas feed themselves by trapping food particles in the surrounding water. Their cell parts can become more fluid to stretch out and form false feet around food bits. They are predators of other protozoans and minute animals. They can detect vibrations, and when stalking active prey, they will avoid contact until their false foot has surrounded the prey completely.

Unlike plants, animals cannot produce their own food. Neither do they absorb nutrients like fungi or bacteria do. Instead, animals take in food and digest it inside their bodies. Animals have their cells divided into highly developed tissues and organs to carry out bodily functions, as do many plants. However, animals also have advanced systems for sensing and motion.

Members of the animal kingdom are divided into two groups: invertebrates and vertebrates. Invertebrates include animals from the simple sponges to the advanced insects and sea urchins. Vertebrate animals have internal skeletons characterized by a backbone and spinal cord. Vertebrate animals includes fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals (including humans).