Sir Boniphace Kasheto , Master of all science subjects 0769889586 / 0623026557

1: CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING THINGS

KINGDOM FUNGI

 Member of the kingdom fungi include fairly familiar organism such as Mushrooms,
toadstools, puff balls and bracket fungi.
 There are also less obvious but very important members such as Mould which grow on bread,
ripe fruits and other foods.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FUNGI:
1. They are Eukaryotic cells with a rigid protected cell wall made of chitin (chitin contain
polysaccharides and protein).
2. The body of fungi is organized into thread like structure called hyphae (singular hypha). A network
mass of hyphae is called mycelium.
3. Fungi have no chlorophyll also they do not photosynthesize, their mode of feeding is heterotrophic,
in this way some are saprophytic while others are parasitic.
4. They store food as glycogen
5. Fungi reproduce asexually by using spores.

PHYLA IN KINGDOM FUNGI

 There are three main phyla in kingdom fungi. These are;
(i) Basidiomycota
(ii) Ascomycota
(iii)Zygomycota

1:Phylum Basidiomycota
 Basidiomycota are characterized by the production of basidia
These are microscopic of club shaped cell in which maturation of spore called (basidiospore) take
place. Mature spore are prepared then are dispersed.

Examples of Basidiomycota are mushrooms, toadstool, puff balls and bracket fungi

STRUCTURE OF MUSHROOM

1. Mushrooms grow on dead and decaying matter (saprophytes)

2. They produce enzymes on the surface of their mycellium which help them to break down complex
food particles.
3. The pileus is the cap of the mushroom on the under ride of the pileus are special hyphae called
gills.
4. The gills produce basidiospores at their tips.
5. The stalk (or stem like part) of the mushroom is called stipe.
6. The part of the mushroom that is above the soil called the fruiting body.
7. Hyphae lie in or on substrate (the source of food).

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Sir Boniphace Kasheto , Master of all science subjects 0769889586 / 0623026557

2: Phylum Ascomycota
 Ascomycotes are also called sac fungi. They produce spores in sac like cells called asci. These
spores are called ascospores.

Examples of ascomycotes are yeast, cup fungi, powdery mildew, penicillium and bread mould

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CHARACTERISTICS OF ASCOMYCOTES
1. They are unicellular
2. Yeast can be found in plant leaves and flower, in salt water, in oil or warm blooded animals such
as human beings.
3. Many types of yeast can ferment sugar to produce alcohol.
4. Some yeast is used in the production of beer, wine and bread. Other types of yeast cause disease.
5. They reproduce asexually by budding. Budding is where by a new organism develops as an
outgrowth of the parents cell.

Budding cell
3. PHYLUM ZYGOMYCOTA (ZYGOMYCETES)

 Zygomycota reproduce asexually through spores or sexually through formation of

zygosporia.

 These organisms are given this name because they produce zygosporangia during sexual
reproduction. Zygosporangia are thick walled structures that contain spores and are highly
resistance to unsuitable environmental condition. When condition improve the spores
germinate example of zygomycotes are mould, mucor and rhizoid.

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ADVANTAGE OF KINGDOM FUNGI

1. Saprophytic fungi are important in the decomposition of dead organisms.
2. Yeast is used to ferment various types of carbohydrates in order to produce alcohol.
3. Some types of fungi for example mushroom are used as food.
4. Fungi are widely used in genetic engineering and research.
5. Yeast is a rich source of vitamin B and protein.
6. Some types of fungi are used in the production of antibiotics for example Penicillium
7. Yeast cells are used in the production of lactic acid and citric acid.
8. Fungi have been used to control pest that cause damage and disease to agricultural crops.
9. Some types of fungi are used in the dairy industry to flavor cheese.

DISADVANTAGE OF KINGDOM FUNGI

1. Parasitic fungi causes disease in plant and animal
2. Fungi produce poison called mycotoxins
3. Some fungi attack the timber used in building house and make furniture
4. Some fungi destroy food e.g. Bread mould

KINGDOM PLANTAE
 This kingdom is made up of plants. Their general characteristics are;

1. They are multcellular.

2. Their cells are eukaryotic with cellulose cell wall.
3. Plants are autotrophic they photosynthesize to produce their own food.
4. They store food as starch.
5. They are organized into tissues, organs and systems.
6. They show limited movement for example opening and closing flower petals and growth
movement towards the stimulus.

DIVISION OF KINGDOM PLANTAE

 The main 4 divisions of kingdom plantae are
(i) Division Bryophyta
(ii) Division filicinophyta
(iii) Division coniferophyta
(iv) Division spermatophyta/angiospermatophyta.

1: DIVISION BRYOPHYTA
 Plants in this division include Mosses and liverworts.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DIVISION BRYOPHYTA

1. They are generally small size, some mosses have only a few cells thick.
2. They have leaf – like thalamus and root – like rhizoids structure but not true leaves or roots.
3. They lack vascular tissues (xylem and phloem).
4. Bryophytes are commonly found in the moist areas such as along the river banks and tress and
rocks in humid area.

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5. They reproduce both sexually and asexually.

- They need water during sexual reproduction because the male reproductive cells can
only reach the female reproductive cells by swimming.

Asexual reproduction is by means of spores.

6. They show alternation of generation. This means that they have two distinct phases in their life
cycle.

The gamete- producing phase called gametophyte stage, Gametes – are male or female
reproductive cells.
The spore producing phase called sporophyte stage.

MOSSES
 Moses consists of a stem- like structure bearing spirally arranged leaf like extensions. They
are divided to the substratum by rhizoids.
 The productive parts of mosses plants are the antheridium(male organ) and archegonium.
(Female organ)
 The antheridium and archegonium can be found on separate plants or on the same plant.
 The antheridium releases mobile sperm. The sperm swim in water to reach and fertilize the
egg in the archegonium to form a zygote.
 The zygote develops into a young sporophyte plant which grows while still attached to the
archegonium. It depends on the parent plant for nutrition and support
 When it matures the sporophyte forms a capsule which contains spores. When the spores are
mature the capsule bursts open and they land produce new mosses plants (gametophytes)

Structure of a moss plant

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ADVANTAGE OF MOSSES
1. Mosses help to decompose dead logs.
2. Mosses serve as pioneer plants on bare ground and help to create a suitable environment for
the growth and development of other plant.
3. Mosses retain a lot of water. They therefore help to keep the soil moist.
4. When mosses grow in a piece of land, they hold the soil particle together and help to prevent
soil erosion.
5. Mosses also provide shelter for insects and other small animals.
6. Some birds and mammals use mosses as nesting materials.
7. Sporangium moss is harvested used in plants nurseries as a plant growing medium.
8. Peat derived from the remains of mosses as an important fuel in Scotland and Ireland.

DISADVANTAGE OF MOSSES
1. Mosses occur as weeds in gardens and other places; they are very difficult to get rid of.
2. Mosses growing around ponds and other small water bodies can grow on the water and cover. It
completely causing the area to become marshy

2: DIVISION FILICINOPHYTA (PTERIDOPHYTA)

 This division is made up of ferns. A young fern’s called a fiddle head

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CHARACTERISTICS OF FERN
1. They are vascular; they have xylem and phloem.
2. Ferns have leaves (called fronds), stem and root. Frond has small ‘leaflets’ called pinnae
singular (pinna) which are connected to rachis. The rachis is the
middle part of the frond. It has connected to the rhizome which is the short stem at the basic.

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Sir Boniphace Kasheto , Master of all science subjects 0769889586 / 0623026557

3. The life cycle of fens involves alternation of generations.

4. The sperm swims to the female egg through water. Fertilization produce a zygote
(fertilized egg). The zygote grows into a new plant (sporangiosphore) that has leaves
a steam and roots.
5. The fern plants has spore producing organs called sporangia (singular sporangium) on
the underside of the leaves. The sporangia are arranged in compact groups called sori
(singular sorus).

 Sori with spores

When the spore are mature the sporangia releases them into the air. A spore germinate in
an environment that is suitable for its development, what germinates is called a prothallus.
Prothallus has antheridia and archegonia while produce sperm and egg respectively

ADVANTAGES OF FERNS
1. Many types of ferns are grown as ornament in homes and offices.
2. In some part of the world, the fiddlehead of some types of fern is eaten.

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Sir Boniphace Kasheto , Master of all science subjects 0769889586 / 0623026557

3. In southern Asia, ferns are used as a biological fertilizer. They are able to convert
nitrogen from the air into compound that can be used by rice plants.
4. Ferns are major components of coal, a fossil fuel which is made up of the remain of
primitive plants
5. Ferns serve as food for various wild animals.

DISADVANTAGE OF FERNS
 Ferns can be found as weeds in many places. The giant water fern is one the world
worst aquatic weeds.
 Ferns dont reproduce with seeds so they dont spread as much as plants that
produce seeds.

CLASSIFICATION NECTA QUESTIONS

NECTA 2000
4. The following organisms belong to the same kingdom: spider, cow, crabs and tortoise. Give
three features which they have in common

NECTA 2007
4. Study the following diagram below and answer the questions that follow

(a) What is the name of the organism in Figure 1?

(b) Identify the structures labeled A – E.
(c) List four advantages of the kingdom into which the organism belong

NECTA 2007
7. (c) Complete the following Table

ORGANISM KINGDOM PHYLUM / DIVISION

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Sir Boniphace Kasheto , Master of all science subjects 0769889586 / 0623026557

Man
Maize
Yeast
Amoeba
Fern

NECTA 2010
5. (a) A bread was put in a wet cupboard. After a few days the bread was covered by thread-
like structure which ended in club-shaped structure.
i. Write the common name of the organism grown on the bread
ii. Name the kingdom to which the organism belong
iii. Name the phylum / division to which the organism belong
iv. Outline five points of economic importance of the kingdom you mentioned in
part (a) (ii) above.

NECTA 2013
4. (a) what is classification?
(b) List four advantages of fungi
(c) Outline two disadvantages of fungi.

NECTA 2014
5. (a) State two characteristics of the Kingdom Fungi

NECTA 2015
4. (b) Figure 1 represents an organism which feed on dead organic matter. Study the diagram
carefully and answer the questions that follow.

(i) What is the name of organism in figure 1?

(ii) Name the part labeled with letter A.
(iii) Mention the phylum in which the organism you named in (b) (i) belongs.

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Sir Boniphace Kasheto , Master of all science subjects 0769889586 / 0623026557

(d) Outline two disadvantages of Kingdom Fungi.

NECTA 2018 (F 4)
5. (a) Explain the distinctive features of the division filicinophyta
(b) Draw a well labeled diagram of a fern plant

NECTA 2018
8. If you put a piece of bread in a wet cupboard after few days the bread will be covered with
organisms called fungi
(a) Give the common name of these fungi which grow on bread
(b) Outline the phyla of kingdom fungi.

(i)……………………….
(ii)………………………
(iii)…………………….

NECTA 2019
8. (a) Draw a well labeled diagram of a fern plant and label four parts
(b) Outline three advantages of a fern plant

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Sir Boniphace Kasheto , Master of all science subjects 0769889586 / 0623026557

2: NUTRITION IN ANIMALS
 Nutrition: Is the process by which an organism takes in and uses nutrients.

FOOD
 Is any liquid or solid which provides the body with materials for growth and repair,
energy release or keeping the body in a good (healthy) condition.

KINDS OR MODES OF NUTRITION

 Basically there are two kinds of nutrition
(1) autotrophic nutrition
(2) heterotrophic nutrition

1: AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION
 This is mode of nutrition where by organisms can make their own food from simple
inorganic substance, such as carbon dioxide and water using either light energy
(photosynthesis) or chemical energy (chemosynthesis). Organisms which feed by
this way are known as AUTOTROPHS
Examples are Green plants, Iron bacteria and sulphur bacteria

2: HETEROTROPHIC NUTRITION
 This is the mode of nutrition where by organisms use organic materials as the only
source of food. Organisms which feed by this way are known as
HETEROTROPHS. They feed on already made food.

FORMS OF HETEROTROPHIC NUTRITION

i. Saprophytic nutrition
ii. Holozoic nutrition
iii. Symbiosis nutrition
i. Saprophytic nutrition
 This is the mode of nutrition where by organisms feed on dead decaying bodies
parts of animals or their excrete; Organisms feeding by this way are known as
SAPROPHYTES

ii. Holozoic nutrition

 This is mode of nutrition where by organism take food by mouth. It passes through
a digestive system and broken down, finally absorbed into body tissue.

FORMS OF HOLOZOIC NUTRITION

1. Herbivores – Are animals which feed on plants only Example cow, goat and zebra
2. Carnivores – Are animals which feed on flesh only e.g. lion, tiger.
3. Omnivores – Are animals which feed on varieties o food (flesh, plants, insect etc)
example. Man, monkey, pig.

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Sir Boniphace Kasheto , Master of all science subjects 0769889586 / 0623026557

4. Insectivores – Are animals that feed on insects e.g. shrews, ant

iii. Symbiotic nutrition

 This mode of nutrition in which an organism of different species exist in a nutrition
relationship with other organism;

 There are three kinds of symbiotic associations

(a) Mutualism
(b) Commensalism
(c) Parasitism.

(a) Mutualism
 This is a nutritional relationship in which the two partners benefit each other by
living together Example Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria in the roots of legumes.

(b) Commensalism
 This is an association of two group where by the host does not get any partnership.
Example Epiphytes (are plants that grow on other plants) e.g. Moses and algae
which grow on upper parts of big trees to get sunlight easily

(c) Parasitism
 This is a nutritional relationship between two organisms in which one organism
live inside/on other living organism and depends on food. The parasite causes harm
to the host. The host provides food and shelter for the parasite.
 Parasites may be endoparasites or ectoparasites

Endoparasites are living inside the body of the host e.g. tapeworm, roundworm and
plasmodia.

Ectoparasites; Parasite that lives on host’s surface [outside the body] examples includes
some mites, flea and body lice.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION

1. Nutrition enables an organism to get nutrients and energy required for various life
processes. These processes include growth and development of cells.
2. To protect body against diseases.
3. Enable in replacement of worn out tissue and dead cell.

NUTRITION IN MAMMALS
HUMAN NUTRITION

FOOD SUBSTANCES (NUTRIENTS)

There are several types of substances that are needed by the human body for its proper functioning. The
basic food substances

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