Which of the following kingdoms has a prokaryotic cell type?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The five-kingdom classification system categorizes life based on characteristics like cell structure and mode of nutrition.
The key distinction in cell structure is between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells, which lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, are the defining feature of the Kingdom Monera.
Organisms in this kingdom, such as bacteria, are structurally simpler than organisms in the other kingdoms.

Option A: Organisms in the Kingdom Plantae are multicellular and have eukaryotic cells, which contain a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
Option C: The Kingdom Protista consists of eukaryotic organisms. Although many are unicellular like Monerans, their cellular structure is fundamentally more complex, featuring a true nucleus.
Option D: The Kingdom Fungi is composed of organisms with eukaryotic cells. They can be unicellular (yeast) or multicellular (molds) but all have a true nucleus.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of living organisms based on cell type (Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is fundamental to nursing, especially in infectious diseases.
Most pathogenic bacteria are prokaryotes. This structural difference is exploited by many antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, macrolides) which target prokaryotic structures (like the cell wall or 70S ribosomes) that are absent in human (eukaryotic) cells, allowing for selective toxicity.
Fungal and protozoal infections are caused by eukaryotes, making them harder to treat as their cells are more similar to human cells, leading to fewer selective drug targets and more potential side effects.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'prokaryotic cell type'.
Recall the definition of a prokaryotic cell: a simple cell lacking a true, membrane-bound nucleus.
Next, review the options, which are all biological kingdoms.
Systematically evaluate each kingdom based on its defining cellular characteristics.
Recall or deduce that Plantae, Protista, and Fungi are all composed of eukaryotic cells.
Identify Monera as the kingdom that exclusively contains prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of living organisms based on cell type (Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic)
Stem keywords: kingdoms, prokaryotic cell type
Lead-in keywords: Which
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Microbiology Applied AnjuDhir 3e Part 1 pp. 58-60, 57-59, 54-56

Practise the full DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.