Characteristics of living organisms

Question 1

What 8 characteristics do all living organisms share?

Answer 1

Movement 
Respiration 
Sensitivity
Growth
Reproduction 
Excretion 
Nutrition 
They control there internal conditions

Question 2

Define movement

Answer 2

When an organism changes its position or place

Question 3

Define respiration

Answer 3

The biochemical reactions in cells that break down molecules to release energy

Question 4

Define sensitivity

Answer 4

The detection of stimulus and the ability to respond to that stimulus

Question 5

Define growth

Answer 5

The permanent increase in the size of an organism by either the increase in the number of cells or the size of the cells

Question 6

Define reproduction

Answer 6

The creation of offspring of the same species of the parent(s)

Question 7

Define excretion

Answer 7

The removal of waste product from metabolic processes or substances in excess

Question 8

Define nutrition

Answer 8

The intake of substances required for growth and to provide energy

Question 9

Why are viruses not living

Answer 9

They do not have all 8 characteristics of living organisms

Question 10

Define species

Answer 10

A group of organisms that can breed to create fertile offspring

Question 11

What is phylogenetics

Answer 11

The study of evolutionary relationships

Question 12

Give 2 ways organisms can be classified

Answer 12

Physical features

Phylogenetic relationships

Question 13

How are modern classification techniques more accurate

Answer 13

Biochemical and genetic analysis gives a more precise and detailed understanding about relationships of organisms

Question 14

How can organisms that share recent common ancestors be identified

Answer 14

Analyse the organism’s DNA

Organisms with more similar DNA sequences often share more common ancestors

Question 15

What are the five kingdoms

Answer 15

Plant,fungi,animal,protoctista,prokaryote

Question 16

Describe the binomial naming system

Answer 16

Genus species
E.g Homo sapiens
In italics or underlined

Question 17

Give 3 advantages of the binomial naming system

Answer 17

It is universal
It provides information about closely linked organisms hence there traits
It allows for precise naming

Question 18

State the features that all cells share

Answer 18

Cytoplasm,cell membrane and DNA

Ribosomes and enzymes for respiration

Question 19

Name five parts of an animal cell

Answer 19

Nucleus
 mitochondria
Ribosomes 
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm

Question 20

Name 8 parts of a plant cell

Answer 20

Nucleus 
Mitochondria
Ribosomes 
Cell membrane 
Cytoplasm 
Permanent vacuole
Chloroplasts 
Cell wall

Question 21

What is the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates

Answer 21

Vertebrates have a backbone whereas invertebrates don’t

Question 22

What are the 5 main groups of vertebrates

Answer 22

Mammals,birds,fish,amphibians and reptiles

Question 23

What is an arthropod

Answer 23

An invertebrate with an exoskeleton

Question 24

What are the 4 main groups of arthropods

Answer 24

Myriapods
Insects
Arachnids
Crustaceans

Question 25

What are the two broad groups of plants

Answer 25

Flowering and non-flowering

Question 26

What are the 2 main groups of flowering plants

Answer 26

Monocotyledons and dicotyledons

Question 27

What is the difference between monocotyledons and dicotyledons

Answer 27

Monocotyledons only contain one embryonic flower (cotyledon) whereas dicotyledons contain two

Question 28

What are dichotomous keys

Answer 28

They’re are resources that are years to identify organisms by asking contrasting questions