Unit 1: The Living World & Morphology

February 16, 2026

Semester 1
BP106RBT

Introduction to The Living World & Morphology

Unit 1 touches upon the basics of biological classification and plant morphology. It covers the ‘Living World’—from the Five Kingdom classification to the detailed features of Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. The second part focuses on ‘Morphology of Flowering Plants’, explaining the structure and function of roots, stems, leaves, inflorescence, flowers, fruits, and seeds, along with the General Anatomy of monocot and dicot plants.
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Syllabus & Topics

  • 1Living World: Definition and characters of living organisms
  • 2Diversity in the living world
  • 3Binomial nomenclature
  • 4Five kingdoms of life: Salient features of Monera, Protista, Fungi, Animalia, and Plantae
  • 5Virus: Structure and features
  • 6Morphology of Flowering Plants: Root, Stem, Inflorescence, Flower, Leaf, Fruit, Seed
  • 7General Anatomy: Root, Stem, Leaf of Monocotyledons & Dicotyledons

Learning Objectives

Understand the rules of Binomial Nomenclature.
Classify organisms into the Five Kingdoms based on cell structure and mode of nutrition.
Describe the morphology of different parts of a flowering plant.
Differentiate between anatomy of monocot and dicot roots/stems.
Identify the parts of a typical flower and their functions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Binomial Nomenclature?

Binomial nomenclature is the formal system of naming species using two terms: the generic name (Genus) and the specific epithet (Species), for example Homo sapiens. This system was introduced by Carl Linnaeus.

Q2. What are the five kingdoms of classification?

According to R. H. Whittaker, living organisms are classified into five kingdoms:

  • Monera (Bacteria)

  • Protista (Amoeba)

  • Fungi (Yeast)

  • Plantae (Plants)

  • Animalia (Animals)

Q3. Difference between Xylem and Phloem?

  • Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to leaves (unidirectional).

  • Phloem transports food (organic nutrients) from leaves to other parts of the plant (bidirectional).

Q4. What is the function of the Root?

Roots absorb water and minerals, anchor the plant, and store reserve food. Modified roots may also perform special functions such as support or respiration.

Q5. Define Taxonomy.

Taxonomy is the branch of biology that deals with the identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms based on shared characteristics.