The kingdom Plantae as laid down by R. Whittaker comprises which of the following group of plants?
Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Protista, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
Thallophyta, Pteridophyta, Fungi, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Monera, Pteridophyta and Gymnosperms
Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
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This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
– According to Whittaker’s system, the kingdom Plantae includes multicellular eukaryotic organisms that are autotrophic (perform photosynthesis) and have cell walls primarily made of cellulose.
– The major groups traditionally placed under Plantae in Whittaker’s system are Algae (specifically multicellular forms), Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms.
– The term ‘Thallophyta’ is an older classification group (or a descriptive term) that included organisms with an undifferentiated body structure (thallus), such as algae, fungi, and lichens. In Whittaker’s system, Fungi were placed in a separate kingdom, and Algae were distributed among Protista (unicellular eukaryotes) and Plantae (multicellular eukaryotes).
– Option D lists Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms. Given the other options include members of Monera, Protista, and Fungi (separate kingdoms), option D is the most accurate representation of the groups typically included in Whittaker’s Plantae. ‘Thallophyta’ in this context likely refers to the multicellular algae forms included in Plantae by Whittaker, such as some green algae (e.g., Spirogyra, Ulothrix) and brown/red algae.