Question

What distinguishes Kingdom Animalia from plants and fungi?

Answer 1

Cell wall- It is the first thing which distinguishes kingdom Animalia from plants and fungi. Cell wall is absent in case of Animalia but it is present in case of plants and fungi. Although chemical nature of cell wall is different in plants and fungi. Cell wall of plant is mainly cellulosic whereas, cell wall of fungi is made up of chitin.

Vacoule- Large vacoules are mostly absent in Animalia (if present then very small in size) whereas Plants and fungi contain large vacoules. Vacoules maintain osmotic balance in plants and fungi while these things are maintained in Animalia by elaborate excretory system (Kidney).

Mode of nutrition- Mode of nutrition also is different in case of Animalia. Animals ingest food whereas plants synthesize their food and fungi (although heterotrophic like Animalia) absorbs food (Absorptive heterotroph).

Locomotion- Locomotion and speed makes kingdom Animalia stand apart from both other kingdoms (Plants and Fungi). Animals can quickly move therefore, they can save themselves from predators as well as they can hunt effeciently as well. Plants and fungi have very limited movement,

Immune system- Animalia has an extremely effecient immune system which not only protects itself from pathogenic invaders but also remembers the pathogen and triggers even better response on second encounter, Plants and fungi on the other hand does not have very elaboate immune system, Presence of cell wall in both tries to compensate for weaker immune system by making entry of pathogen tougher.