characteristics of living things (topic 1) Flashcards
movement
an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place
respiration
as the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism
sensitivity
the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment
growth
permanent increase in size and dry mass
reproduction
the processes that make more of the same kind of organism
excretion
the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements
nutrition
the taking in of materials for
energy, growth and development
what are the 7 characteristics of living things
movement, respiration, sensitivity, reproduction, growth, excretion, nutrition
kingdom
broad level for classifying organsims, all organisms are within 5 kingdoms
species
group of similiar organisms that can reproduce and produce fertile offsprings
how are organisms classified
they are classified into groups depending on features they possess and thus share
what do classification systems aim
to relfect on evolutionary relationships
binomial systems
naming species as an internationally agreed system in which the scientific name of an organism is made up of two parts showing the genus and species
what is a dichotomous key
A tool used to identify organisms using a series of questions, each with only two answers.
how do you generally make a dichotomous key
you must list observable characteritics of the organism
organise characteristics in order starting with most general- specific
divide organisms by yes or no answers, and give an answer of the organism described under
bases in dna and classification
sequences of bases in DNA are used as a means of classification
-closely related species have similar base sequences
-distantly related species have different base sequences.