Which of the following was taken as a distin guishing feature by Whittaker for proposing fivekingdom classification?

Options

A. Structure of cell
B. Cellular organization
C. Mode of nutrition
D. All the above

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Whittaker's Classification**: Whittaker proposed a five-kingdom classification system that includes Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. Each kingdom is distinguished based on certain characteristics.

2. **Identifying Distinguishing Features**: The distinguishing features used by Whittaker to classify organisms into these five kingdoms include:
- **Cell Structure**: Whether the organism has a cell wall or not, and whether it is prokaryotic (like Monera) or eukaryotic (like Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia).
- **Cellular Organization**: Organisms can be unicellular (like Monera and some Protista) or multicellular (like Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia).
- **Mode of Nutrition**: This includes whether the organism is autotrophic (like plants) or heterotrophic (like fungi and animals).

3. **Conclusion**: Based on the features mentioned, the correct answer to the question is "all of the above," as all these features were considered by Whittaker in his classification.

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