Chapter 1 - Characteristic of living organisms Flashcards
Define nutrition
The ability of an organism to obtain organic and/or inorganic from the surroundings for growth, energy, repair, and health
Name the seven characteristics of living organisms
- Movement
- Reproduction
- Sensitivity
- Growth
- Respiration
- Excretion
- Nutrition
Describe autotrophic nutrition
When an organism produces its own food from inorganic substances. Green plants manufacture nutrients during photosynthesis
Describe heterotrophic nutrition
Organism obtains nutrients from other organisms
Describe saprotrophic nutrition
Organisms like fungi and bacteria obtain nutrients from dead and decaying remains of other organisms
Define excretion
The removal of metabolic waste and excess substances from the body
Name the products that need to be excreted from the body
- Carbon Dioxide
- Urea
- Water
- Salts
Explain why excess substances need to be excreted
Excess substances can cause poisoning
Define respiration
The release of energy from food substances in all living cells
Which of the follwing requires oxygen?
a) Aerobic Respiration
b) Anaerobic Respiration
a) Aerobic Respiration
Define sensitivity
The ability to detect stimuli (changes) in the environment
and respond to this stimuli
Define reproduction
The ability to produce similar offspring of the same species
Describe asexual reproduction
Involves only one parent, where a part of the parent develops into a new organism of the same species
Describe sexual reproduction
Involves two parents where male and female organisms produce gametes which fuse during fertilisation
Define growth
The permanent increase in size and number of cells of an organism
