What Are the Four Kingdoms of the Domain Eukarya?

The kingdoms in the domain Eukarya are Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Eukaryota consists of organisms that have a true nucleus and structures called organelles that are surrounded by membranes.

Kingdom Protista, the most diverse kingdom within the domain, consists of single-celled organisms such as paramecia and amoeba and multicellular organisms such as algae. These organisms number about 250,000 species.

Kingdom Fungi, with about 100,000 species, contains mildew, molds, yeasts and mushrooms. These organisms absorb nutrients from other organisms and have cell walls made of a substance called chitin.

The approximately 250,000 species of plants are organisms that make their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Kingdom Animalia, with 1 million species, consists of multicellular organisms that must consume other organisms for energy.

ADVERTISEMENT