How Many types of Organism are There?

About 8.7 million species of living organisms are identified on Earth. It includes plants, animals, insects, fungi, and microorganisms. Only over 1.2 million species, most of which are insects, have been found and described. Anything composed of cells that is living is considered an organism.

The most basic prerequisite for all living things is that they are all composed of cells. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic are the two primary categories of organisms. Based on the kind of cells that make up the organism, this difference is made. In this article, we will read about organisms, types of organisms, and the classification of organisms.

What is called Organism?

Organisms are living species having all the characteristics of life, like birds, plants, animals, insects, or even microorganisms. Different types of organisms are present on Earth that are continuously expanding. Scientists are discovering new species every day. Organisms develop over time, reproduce, and respond to stimuli.

It can be a prokaryotic organism or an eukaryotic organism. Organisms are classified on a variety of basis like taxonomic groups, their evolutionary relationships and characteristics. Species are characterized based on their reproduction, as well as how they reproduce themselves. Some reproduce simply by division of their cells, and some reproduce by elaborate mating rituals to form new organisms.

Types of Organisms

Organisms are of different kinds, and based on the modes of nutrition they are classified into two types:

• Producers
• Consumers

Producers

Producers are organisms that produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis, or chemosynthesis. They form base of the food chain and produces energy in the ecosystem to sustain other living organisms. All the green plants which synthesize their food through photosynthesis are called producers.

Consumers

Organism which rely on other organisms for food and survival are known as Consumers or Heterotrophs. Based on the type of organism the consumers eat and the tropic level in the ecosystem they are classified into:

• Primary consumers: These occupy the secondary tropic level and feed on the producers (plants)
• Secondary Consumers: These belong to the third tropic level and they feed on the primary consumers.
• Tertiary Consumers: They belong to the fourth tropic level and feed on the secondary consumers.

Classification of Organisms

The organisms are classified into seven types based on the type of food they feed on.

Herbivores

Herbivores are organisms that get nutrients from plants, fruits, leaves, and other plant based foods. They are also known as primary consumers because they are found at level 2 of the food chain. They include cows, goats, sheep, zebras, and other animals that eat only plant based food. There are herbivores that feed on certain parts of the plants, like frugivores, which eat fruits.

Carnivores

Carnivores are organisms that feed on animals. They are strict meat eaters and rely only on animal flesh for their diet. Example, big cats like cheetahs, lions, and tigers. They are capable of eating both animals and plants, but they predominantly rely on animals. Their sharp teeth, which are well-suited for tearing and chewing meats. These organisms play a important role in controlling the populations of herbivores and preventing overgrazing.

Omnivores

An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals. They have a diverse diet as they consume both. There dietary flexibility allows them to adapt widely to the environment and food sources. They have advantages in various environments as they can exploit different food sources depending on their availability. Omnivores play a crucial role in ecosystems by contributing to the nutrient cycle.

Scavenger

Scavengers are those animals that eat only decaying plants and animal materials. Thus, they are both herbivorous and omnivorous. Even though they have the ability to eat decaying food, they do not kill their own prey. They only eat the decaying animals that were killed by other predators or died by other natural causes.

Decomposers

Decomposers are those animals that decompose or break down organic material, like dead organism remnants. They facilitate the recycling of the nutrients and return them to the environment for other usage. There are different types of decomposers, like, bacteria, fungi, detritivores, etc. They break down the organic material into simpler forms through processes like decay, putrefaction, and fermentation.

Parasites

Parasites are those organisms that live on or in their host and feed at the expense of that host. They have complex life cycles as they involve multiple stages, such as eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults. The three types of parasites are helminths, protozoa and ectoparasites which can cause disease in human beings.

Predators

Predators are animals that feed on other organisms by catching and eating them. Predators that eat species are also called prey. They are crucial components of ecosystems, as they maintain ecological balance. Carnivorous or omnivorous animals are the most common kinds of predators. Examples of predators are lion, snakes, and tigers.

Conclusion – How Many types of Organism are There?

Organisms are the particular living species that exhibit all the characteristics necessary to survive on this earth. Organisms have different characteristics that help them to survive and maintain the ecosystem. This includes their food preparation by themselves or relying on other organisms. The role of decomposers, producers, parasites, and predators in this ecosystem emphasizes the interconnection of the life cycle. They maintain delicate balances that sustain our planets.

FAQs – How Many Types of Organisms are There?

What are Organisms Made of?

Organisms are made up of one or more cells, which are the structural and fundamental units of life. There are two types of organisms, which are unicellular and multicellular.

Why is it Important to have Different Types of Organisms?

The ecosystem is essential, as it supports all life on Earth, including humans. Without a wide range of animals, plants, and microorganisms, we cannot have the healthy ecosystems that we rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat.

What are the Types Of Organisms?

There are different types of organisms, including -producers, consumers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, scavengers, parasites, predators, and decomposers.

What are Decomposers?

Decomposers are organisms that break down the organic matter in the dead bodies of plants and animals and return them to the environment.

What are Consumers?

A consumer in a food chain is a living creature that eats organisms from a different population. A consumer is a heterotroph and a producer is an autotroph.

Why do We Classify Organisms?

The diversity present in our ecosystem is vast, and for them, we need to classify them and differentiate between them based on their characteristics and functions. It helps to find out the evolutionary relationship between them.