Question

How is the complexity of cell structure and their number used in classification?

Answer 1

The complexity of a cell structure and its number serves a very important role in classification. The organisms are divided into eukaryotes (possess membrane-bound cell organelles) and prokaryotes (lack membrane-bound cell organelles) on the basis of their cell structure.

According to Whittaker's five-kingdom classification, eukaryotic organisms are classified into unicellular (one cell) and multicellular (more than one cell) depending upon the number of cells they possess.

The prokaryotes are grouped into the kingdom Monera, whereas the unicellular eukaryotes are grouped into the kingdom Protista. The multi-nucleate and/or multi-cellular eukaryotes are divided into kingdoms Fungi, Plantae and Animalia.