Characteristics Of Living Organisms
Overview
What separates a rock from a rabbit? Both are made of atoms, both sit on the same planet, yet only one feeds, grows and reproduces. Biologists use a set of eight life processes to draw the line between living and non-living, and every organism on Earth, from a tiny bacterium to a blue whale, shares them all.
In this lesson you will learn each of the eight characteristics, explore how they apply to both plants and animals, and discover why viruses sit awkwardly outside the definition of life. These ideas underpin every biology topic that follows, so getting them right here gives you a head start for the rest of the course.
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
Lesson Note
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
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 NOT one of the eight life processes? A) Respiration B) Digestion C) Excretion D) Reproduction Answer: B
- What is the correct definition of excretion? A) Removal of undigested food from the body B) Removal of toxic waste products of metabolism C) The breakdown of large food molecules D) The absorption of nutrients into the blood Answer: B
- Viruses are generally classified as non-living because they: A) Are too small to see B) Do not carry out all eight life processes independently C) Cannot move D) Do not contain any genetic material Answer: B
- Which term describes an organism that makes its own food? A) Heterotroph B) Parasite C) Autotroph D) Saprophyte Answer: C
- Homeostasis is best described as: A) The ability to move from one place to another B) The maintenance of a stable internal environment C) The removal of waste products from the body D) A permanent increase in the size of an organism Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Practice Mock Questions
Want to practice mock questions on Characteristics Of Living Organisms? Download the Green Bridge CBT app to access mock questions and full practice assessments for this topic.
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
