Characteristics Of Living Organisms
Overview
What makes something alive? A rock sits on a hillside for centuries, unchanged. A caterpillar on that same rock eats, breathes, moves and eventually transforms into a butterfly. The difference comes down to a set of life processes that every living organism shares, from the smallest bacterium to the largest whale.
In this lesson you will learn the eight characteristics that all living organisms have in common. These characteristics form the foundation of biology and are tested in Paper 1 and Paper 2, so being able to recall and apply them is essential.
Objectives
- Understand how living organisms share the following characteristics: they require nutrition, they respire, they excrete their waste, they respond to their surroundings, they move, they control their internal conditions, they reproduce, they grow and develop
Mind map
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Flashcards
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Characteristics Of Living Organisms. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which of the following is a life process shared by ALL living organisms? A) Photosynthesis B) Locomotion C) Respiration D) Breathing Answer: C
- Excretion is best defined as: A) Removal of undigested food from the body B) Removal of metabolic waste products from the body C) The breakdown of large food molecules D) The absorption of nutrients into the blood Answer: B
- Which life process involves detecting and responding to changes in the environment? A) Nutrition B) Excretion C) Sensitivity D) Reproduction Answer: C
- A plant bends toward a light source. This is an example of: A) Excretion and growth B) Sensitivity and growth C) Nutrition and reproduction D) Respiration and movement Answer: B
- Which statement about respiration is correct? A) Only animals respire B) Respiration is the same as breathing C) Respiration takes place in all living cells D) Respiration only occurs when oxygen is available Answer: C
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