monera

Học thuật
Thân thiện
monera

Monera are microscopic organisms found in pond water.

Definition

Noun 1. A taxonomic kingdom comprising prokaryotic organisms: In some biological classification systems, 'Monera' is the kingdom that includes all prokaryotes—organisms whose cells lack a distinct nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. This traditionally encompassed bacteria and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).

Usage Notes
  • Historical/Legacy Term: The term 'Monera' is primarily used in historical or specific educational contexts. Modern taxonomy, based on genetic analysis, no longer recognizes Monera as a single kingdom. Prokaryotes are now classified into two distinct domains: Bacteria and Archaea.
  • Informal Grouping: As noted in the reference, due to changing scientific consensus, 'Monera' and similar terms are often used as informal names for major divisions of life rather than formal taxonomic ranks.
Examples
  • In older biology textbooks, life was often divided into five kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, and Monera.
  • The kingdom Monera includes diverse organisms, from beneficial soil bacteria to pathogenic species.
Advanced Usage
  • Moneran (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of the kingdom Monera.
    • Example: The moneran cell structure is fundamentally different from that of plants and animals.
Variants and Related Words
  • Prokaryote (noun): The modern, more precise term for any organism belonging to the domains Bacteria or Archaea, characterized by the absence of a cell nucleus. This is the term favored in current scientific literature.
  • Bacteria (noun): A major domain of prokaryotic microorganisms, many of which are studied within the former kingdom Monera.
  • Cyanobacteria (noun): A phylum of bacteria that obtain energy via photosynthesis; formerly known as blue-green algae and classified under Monera.
Synonyms
  • Prokaryotes (in the historical context)
  • Bacterium (in a broad, non-technical sense)
Related Concepts
  • Eukaryote: An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes. This is the fundamental contrast to organisms once grouped under Monera.
  • Taxonomy: The science of classification. The changing status of 'Monera' exemplifies how taxonomic systems evolve with new scientific discoveries.
monera

Monera are microscopic organisms found in pond water.

Noun
  1. prokaryotic bacteria and blue-green algae and various primitive pathogens; because of lack of consensus on how to divide the organisms into phyla informal names are used for the major divisions