The five kingdom classification system, first proposed by Whittaker, divides organisms into five broad groups based on fundamental differences in their cell structure, nutritional modes, and evolutionary relationships. The classification includes:
1. Monera – unicellular organisms with prokaryotic cells (no defined nucleus), such as bacteria.
2. Protista – single-celled eukaryotes, such as protozoa and algae.
3. Fungi – multicellular, non-photosynthetic eukaryotes that absorb nutrients through absorption.
4. Plantae – multicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes that produce their own food.
5. Animalia – multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophic (consume other organisms).
This classification is based on cell structure (whether organisms are prokaryotic or eukaryotic), their mode of nutrition (whether they are autotrophic or heterotrophic), and their phylogenetic relationships (evolutionary lineage). Therefore, option (B) is correct.