Diversity of Living Organisms

This text is intended as a quick reference guide providing a description of all living organisms, from bacteria and single-celled organisms to complex plants and animals. It is a descriptive rather than a definitive guide, and provides an overview of the five kingdoms, defining the terminology and structure of the classification. There is a general description of each phylum, its main members (displayed in the form of a taxonomic tree), distinguishing/diagnostic features, ecology and physiology. Individual classes within phyla merit a brief description, but orders are displayed in list form only. Overall, the aim is to provide the (student) reader with a clear mental picture of the organism he or she has chosen to investigate.