Characteristics of living organisms

Question 1

What are the 7 different characteristics of life?

Answer 1

• nutrition
• excretion
• respiration
• sensitivity
• reproduction
• growth
• movement

Question 2

What is nutrition? Give an example.

Answer 2

The taking in of nutrients which are organic substances and mineral ions, containing raw materials or energy for growth and tissue repair, absorbing and assimilating them (e.g. eating a snack).

Question 3

What is excretion? Give an example.

Answer 3

The removal from organisms of toxic materials, the waste products of metabolism (chemical reactions in cells including respiration) and substances in excess of requirements (e.g. sweating)

Question 4

What is respiration? Give an example.

Answer 4

The chemical reactions that break down nutrient molecules in living cells to release energy (e.g. using up energy in a race)

Question 5

What is sensitivity? Give an example.

Answer 5

The ability to detect or sense changes in the environment (stimuli) and to make responses (e.g. hearing a whistle)

Question 6

What is reproduction? Give an example.

Answer 6

The processes that make more of the same kind of organism (e.g. laying eggs)

Question 7

What is growth? Give an example.

Answer 7

A permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell number or cell size or both (e.g. making new leaves)

Question 8

What is movement? Give an example.

Answer 8

An action by an organism or part of an organism causing change of position or place (e.g. escaping from danger)