In
biological taxonomy, a
domain (also
superregnum,
superkingdom,
empire, or
regio) is the highest
taxonomic rank of
organisms in the
three-domain system of taxonomy designed by
Carl Woese, an American
microbiologist and
biophysicist. According to the Woese system, introduced in 1990, the
tree of life consists of three domains:
Archaea (a term which Woese created),
Bacteria, and
Eukarya. The first two are all
prokaryotic microorganisms, or single-celled organisms whose cells have no
nucleus. All life that has a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, and most
multi-cellular life, is included in the Eukaryota.