10 1.2 Classification System & Characteristics of Living Organisms

Question 1

Characteristics of organisms

Answer 1

Movement
Respiration
Sensitivity
Growth
Reproduction
Excretion
Nutrition

Question 2

Elaborate MOVEMENT

Answer 2

an action by an organism causing change in position or place

Question 3

Elaborate RESPIRATION

Answer 3

The chemical reaction in cells to break down nutrient molecules to release energy

Question 4

Elaborate SENSITIVITY

Answer 4

The ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment and simuli

Question 5

Elaborate GROWTH

Answer 5

A permanent increase in size

Question 6

Elaborate EXCRETION

Answer 6

The removal of excess materials and substances in excess requirements

Question 7

Elaborate NUTRITION

Answer 7

The taking in of materials for energy, growth and development

Question 8

What is a species

Answer 8

A group of organisms with similar internal and external features and structures that can interbreed and produce fully fertile offspring

Question 9

Differentiate between BACTERIA and VIRUS

Answer 9

Bacteria:
-bacteria can survive on their own, be it inside or outside the body.
-Has a cell wall of peptidoglycan (murein)

VIRUS:
-viruses are obligate parasites and need the metabolic capabilities of a host to sustain their life cycle.
- no cell wall but a CAPSID

Question 10

Define METABOLISM

Answer 10

The sum of all chemical reactions in the body
Reaction example: respiration and the breaking down of excess protein to make urea for excretion

Question 11

Plant cells have..

Answer 11

• cell walls made of cellulose
• chlorophyll
• plasmodesmata
• plastids
• Large central vacuole

Question 12

Animal cells have..

Answer 12

• no cell wall
• centrioles
• centrosomes
• lysosomes

Question 13

Define prokaryotic

Answer 13

Prokaryotes are lacking a nucleus and membrane bound organelles. While a cell wall is present it is made up of murein. It is generally simpler than eukaryotes

E.g. bacteria and archaea

Question 14

Define eukaryote

Answer 14

Eukaryotes have a nucleus, membrane bound organelles and in plants the cell walls are made up of cellulose.They are generally more complex.

Question 15

Define PROTOCTIST

Answer 15

Protoctist are eukaryotic organisms different from plants, animals or fungi. They can have a unicellular (protist) or multicellular structure (protoctist). May or may not have cell wall or chloroplasts. Some feed by photosynthesis and others on organic substances.

E.g. Protozoa and algae

Question 16

Define FUNGUS

Answer 16

Fungus are eukaryotic organisms different from plants and dividing cell walls are often absent, thus producing long thin hyphae which are multinucleate.
- non photosynthetic
- feeds saprophytically

E.g. yeast, mounds, mushrooms

Question 17

Define plants

Answer 17

Eukaryotic organisms, meaning lacking a nucleus, and is multicellular
- have a cell wall made of cellulose
-Autotrophic (produces its own food using raw materials such as sunlight. Is primary on the food chain as it is a producer.)
- photosynthetic and has chlorophyll

Question 18

Define animals

Answer 18

-Eukaryotic, meaning it’s cells have a nucleus, and are multicellular
-lacking cell walls
- heterotrophs, and thus secondary or tertiary on the food chain (meaning they feed on autotrophs or other organisms)

Question 19

Differentiate between protist and bacteria

Answer 19

Protists are eukaryotic whereas bacteria are prokaryotic.

Question 20

Define mitochondria

Answer 20

Mitochondria is a membrane bound organelle present in eukaryotes. Mitochondria are responsible for generating the chemical energy needed to power the cells biochemical reactions

Question 21

Differentiate between PLANTS and FUNGI

Answer 21

Plants:
Photosynthetic
Autotrophic
Cell walls made of cellulose
Producers in the food chain

Fungi:
Feeds saprophytically
Heterotrophic
Cell walls of chitin
Decomposers in the food chain