Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: DTE
Origin of the term: The term “funga” was established five years ago by mycologists, mostly from Latin America. It refers to the kingdom fungi, which is one of the six kingdoms of biology.
Significance: The term “fungi” should be added to discussions of biodiversity to raise awareness of the importance of these organisms and conserve them on equal footing with flora and fauna.
The six kingdoms of biology are:
- Animalia: Animals – multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that can move.
- Plantae: Plants – multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that photosynthesize.
- Fungi: Fungi – eukaryotic organisms that absorb nutrients from their surroundings.
- Protista: Protists – a diverse group of mostly unicellular eukaryotic organisms.
- Eubacteria: True bacteria – single-celled prokaryotic organisms.
- Archaebacteria: Archaea – single-celled prokaryotic organisms that often live in extreme environments.
