CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE Flashcards
The most common feature of every living organism is life.
There are nine essential characteristics of life.
(TRUE OR FALSE)
False (Correct Answer: There are six essential characteristics of life.)
It is a specific interrelationships among the parts of an
organism and how those parts interact to perform
specific functions. Living things are highly
organized.
Organization
All organisms are composed of one or more cells and
cellular function depends on the precise organization
of large molecules.
True
Disruption of this organized state can result in loss
of functions or death
True
It is the ability to use energy and to perform vital functions.
Metabolism
It refers to all of the chemical reactions taking place in
the cells and internal environment of an organism.
Metabolism
Organisms possess specialized proteins that break
down food molecules. The organisms use the
nutrients from the food (source of energy) and raw
materials to synthesize new molecules. Energy is
used to rearrange the shape of molecules (shape
determines function). (TRUE OR FALSE)
True
Some changes in molecular shape cannot allow certain
cells to change shape.
(TRUE OR FALSE)
False (Correct Answer: Some changes in molecular shape can allow certain
cells to change shape.)
Specialized white blood cells can surround
and engulf potentially dangerous foreign invaders,
such as certain bacteria. (TRUE OR FALSE)
True
This is necessary for responsiveness, growth,
development and reproduction.
Metabolism
What are the 2 types of metabolism?
Anabolism & Catabolism
It means “break down;”
e.g., cellular respiration
Catabolism
It means “build up;” e.g, protein synthesis
Anabolism
It is the organism’s ability to sense changes in its external
or internal environment and adjust to those
changes.
Responsiveness
Actions include moving toward food or water and
moving away from danger or poor environmental
conditions.
Responsiveness
Through responsiveness, organisms can also make adjustments that maintain
their internal environment (TRUE OR FALSE)
True
If the external environment causes the
body temperature to ____, sweat glands will
produce sweat which ____ body temperature
down to normal range.
rise; lower
It is an increase in size or number of cells, which produces
an overall enlargement of all or part of an organism.
Growth
Muscle enlarged by exercise is composed
of larger muscle cells than those of an untrained
muscle, the skin of an adult has more cells than the
skin of an infant. (TRUE OR FALSE)
True
Decrease in materials surrounding the cells contribute
to growth. (TRUE OR FALSE)
False (Correct Answer: INCREASE in materials surrounding the cells contribute
to growth.)
Bones grow because of cell number
increase and deposition of mineralized materials
around the cell. (TRUE OR FALSE)
True
What are the two types of growth?
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia
It is an increase in size of cells wherein body mass increases
Hypertrophy
It is an increase in number of cells
Hyperplasia
Usually in a very young age, the body is actively
increasing in the number of adipocytes (fat tissues),
referring to hyperplasia; Then, if the amount of fat is not reduced as a child
grows, it is possible that the accumulated adipocytes
will grow in size, referring to hypertrophy. (TRUE OR FALSE)
True
Changes in an organism undergoes through time,
beginning with fertilization and ending at death.
Development
The
greatest developmental changes occur before
birth, but many changes continue after birth, and
some go on throughout life.
(TRUE OR FALSE)
True
This usually involves growth but also involves
differentiation and morphogenesis.
Development
It involves changes in a cell's structures and function from an immune, generalized state to a mature, specialized state.
Differentiation
It is the change in shape of tissues, organs, and
the entire organism.
Morphogenesis
It is called the formation of new cells or new organisms.
Reproduction
Reproduction of cells allows for growth and
development. (TRUE OR FALSE0
True
All living organisms pass on their genes to their
offspring. (TRUE OR FALSE)
True
