They are unicellular and multicellular organisms made up of eukaryotic cells. It groups living beings that cannot be classified in the other kingdoms, since they are not animals, plants, or fungi. Their size is small and they do not have the capacity to form tissues.
It includes two very different groups:
Formed by unicellular and multicellular eukaryotic beings, they reproduce by means of spores. This kingdom includes mushrooms, yeasts, and molds. Although they have common characteristics with plants and animals, they are so peculiar that they cannot be included in another kingdom.
Fungi (like plants) have a cell wall, although plants are made of cellulose and fungi are made of chitin.
Although they may look like plants because they live fixed in one place, they do not photosynthesize. They are heterotrophic organisms (like animals), and they have to feed on substances created by other living beings. They can get their food in three ways:
- Saprophytes: feed on decaying organic debris.
- Parasites: They feed on the organism in which they live.
- Symbionts: They feed through their association with a plant.
They are all eukaryotic and multicellular beings. They are heterotrophs, they do not carry out photosynthesis, and they feed on substances produced by other living beings. Its cells do not have a cell wall and are specialized to form tissues, organs, apparatus and systems. They have a nervous system, which gives them sensitivity and response to different stimuli and they have the ability to move. For example, this kingdom includes insects, mammals, jellyfish, fish, ...
Formed by eukaryotic cells, they are multicellular beings , which can form tissues and organs such as roots, stems and leaves. They are autotrophic beings, with the ability to carry out photosynthesis and make their food from simple inorganic substances (water, mineral salts and CO2). Their cells have a cell wall made of cellulose. They cannot be moved. Some metaphytes are trees, ferns, etc.