Characteristics of Living Organisms

Question 1

Movement:

Answer 1

The action by an organism or part causing a change of position or place.

Question 2

Respiration:

Answer 2

The chemical reactions breaking down nutrient molecules in living cells to release energy for metabolic processes. Ex. Cellular respiration involves the breakdown of glucose, producing ATP, which serves as the primary energy source for cellular activities.

Question 3

Sensitivity:

Answer 3

The ability to detect or sense stimuli in the internal or external environment and make appropriate responses. Ex. Plants can sense light intensity.

Question 4

Growth:

Answer 4

A permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell number or cell size or both. Ex. Human growth.

Question 5

Reproduction:

Answer 5

The processes that make more of the same kind of organism, ensuring the continuation of the species.

Question 6

Excretion:

Answer 6

The removal from organisms of toxic materials, waste products of metabolism, and substances in excess of requirements.

Question 7

Nutrition:

Answer 7

The taking in of materials for energy, growth, and development; plants require light, carbon dioxide, water, and ions; animals need organic compounds, ions, and usually, water.

Question 8

Species Definition:

Answer 8

A group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring, forming the basic unit of biological classification.

Question 9

Binomial System:

Answer 9

Organisms named in Latin using the binomial system, consisting of two parts – genus (always given a capital letter) and species (starting with a lowercase letter). Ex. The scientific name for humans is *Homo sapiens

Question 10

Classification Sequence:

Answer 10

The hierarchical sequence of classification includes Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. Ex. Humans are classified as Animalia (Kingdom)..etc.

Question 11

Dichotomous Keys:

Answer 11

Identification tools presenting a series of questions about an organism’s features, leading to its classification.

Question 12

Reflecting Evolution:

Answer 12

Classification systems aim to reflect evolutionary relationships between species, moving from traditional morphological features to DNA-based analysis.

Question 13

Kingdom 1) Animals:

Answer 13

Multicellular organisms lacking cell walls, obtaining nutrients by consuming other living things. Ex. Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish belong to the Animalia kingdom.

Question 14

Kingdom 2) Plants:

Answer 14

Multicellular organisms with cell walls containing cellulose, chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
Ex. Trees, flowers, and grasses are classified under the Plantae kingdom.

Question 15

Kingdom 3) Fungi:

Answer 15

Multicellular organisms with nuclei, non-cellulose cell walls, obtaining nutrients through saprophytic or parasitic means.
Ex. Mushrooms, yeasts, and molds fall under the Fungi kingdom.

Question 16

Kingdom 4) Protoctista:

Answer 16

May be unicellular or multicellular, having a nucleus; some exhibit photosynthesis, while others feed on organic substances.
Ex. Amoeba, Paramecium, and Algae belong to the Protoctista kingdom.

Question 17

Kingdom 5) Prokaryotes:

Answer 17

Often unicellular organisms with cell walls, lacking a nucleus or mitochondria.
Ex. Bacteria and blue-green algae are classified under the Prokaryote kingdom.

Question 18

Vertebrate 1) Mammals:

Answer 18

Characteristics include fur/hair, placenta, mammary glands, external ears (pinna), endothermic.
Ex. Horse, dog, squirrel, human.

Question 19

Vertebrate 2) Birds:

Answer 19

Characteristics include skin covered in feathers, two legs, two wings, beak, lay eggs with hard shells on land, endothermic.
Ex. Parrot, blue tit, eagle.

Question 20

Vertebrate 3) Reptiles:

Answer 20

Characteristics include dry, fixed scales on the skin, lay eggs with rubbery shells on land.
Ex. Snake, turtle, iguana.

Question 21

Vertebrate 4) Amphibians:

Answer 21

Characteristics include smooth, moist skin, adults usually live on land, larvae live in water, lay eggs without shells in water.
Ex. Frog, toad, newt.

Question 22

Vertebrate 5) Fish:

Answer 22

characteristics include loose wet scales on the skin, gills to breathe, lay eggs without shells in water.
Ex. Flounder, grouper.

Question 23

Invertebrate 1) Myriapods:

Answer 23

Body consists of many segments, each segment containing at least one pair of jointed legs, one pair of antennae.
Ex. Centipede.

Question 24

Invertebrate 2) insects:

Answer 24

Three-part body (head, thorax, abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, two pairs of wings (functional or vestigial), one pair of antennae.
Ex. Butterfly.

Question 25

Invertebrate 3) Arachnids:

Answer 25

Two-part body (cephalothorax and abdomen), four pairs of jointed legs, no antennae.
Ex. Spider.

Question 26

Invertebrate 4) Crustaceans:

Answer 26

More than four pairs of jointed legs, chalky exoskeleton formed from calcium, breathe through gills, two pairs of antennae.
Ex. Crab.

Question 27

Ferns:

Answer 27

Have leaves called fronds, reproduce by spores, do not produce flowers, and rely on spores for reproduction.

Question 28

Flowering Plants:

Answer 28

Reproduce sexually through flowers and seeds. Can be divided into monocotyledons and dicotyledons.
Ex. Roses, sunflowers, and daisies are flowering plants.

Question 29

Distinguishing Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons: Flowers:

Answer 29

Monocotyledons: Petals in multiples of 3.
Dicotyledons: Petals in multiples of 4 or 5.

Question 30

Distinguishing Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons: Leaves:

Answer 30

Monocotyledons: Parallel leaf veins.
Dicotyledons: Reticulated leaf veins forming a network.

Question 31

Virus Characteristics:

Answer 31

Not part of any classification system, considered non-living entities.
Structure: Genetic material (RNA or DNA) encased in a protein coat.
Function: Exploits host cell metabolic pathways for reproduction.
- Does not carry out the seven life processes independently.

Ex: Influenza virus hijacks host cells to replicate, causing flu symptoms.