Ch.2 The Characteristics Of Life Flashcards
Def. Life
Something that possesses metabolism and continuity
Def. Organism
Something that has cells and possesses the 5 characteristics of life
Def. Metabolism
The sum of all the chemical reactions that take place within an organism
Def. Anabolism
Taking small molecules and using them to form a big molecule
Example of anabolism
Photosynthesis
Example of catabolism
Digestion
Def. Catabolism
Taking large molecules and breaking them down into small molecules
Def. Continuity of life
The ability of each type of organism to exist from one generation to the next
Name the 5 characteristics of life
1. Organisation
2. Nutrition
3. Excretion
4. Reproduction
5. Response
Organelles
Cellular structures that carry out functions within the cell e.g organelles
Unicellular
Consists of only one cell e.g amoeba
Multicellular
Consists of many cells e.g humans
Organisation
Organisms being made up of cells, tissues, organs and systems
Nutrition
The way living things obtain and use food from their surroundings to provide energy
Autotrophic
Make their own food from simple raw materials in the environment e.g plants and photosynthesis
Heterotrophic
Obtain nutrients by eating plants or other animals
Excretion
The removal of waste products of metabolism
Where is waste made?
Play in the cells of an organism
Name the different human excretory systems
Skin lungs and urinary system i.e. kidneys and bladder
the main products excreted our carbon dioxide surplus water
Where do plants remove excess oxygen and carbon dioxide?
From photosynthesis through their stomata
Response
The ability of organisms to react to both internal and external changes
Why is response so important
It is essential for survival
What do animals respond to
Sound, touch and light using sense organs and the nervous system
What do plants respond to
Gravity, light, touch, chemicals and water. the stem of plants grow in the direction of light so the leaves get light to make food
Name two types of reproduction
Asexual and sexual
Asexual reproduction 3 characteristics
1. No sex cells (gametes) produced
2. Common in unicellular organisms and plants
3. Offspring are identical to the parent (clone)
Sexual reproduction 3 characteristics
1. Male and female sex cells produced
2. Common in animals and flowering plant
3. Offspring are similar to but not identical to parents
Reproduction
The ability of an organism to produce new individuals of its own kind
Why is reproduction important?
Essential for species survival so it doesn’t go extinct
