functions of life Flashcards
to understand what MR SHENG stands for, and some of its applications
what does the M stand for?
-metabolis
living things must take part in chemical reactions
what does the R stand for?
-reproduction
living things must produce offspring, either sexually, or asexually
what does the S stand for?
-sensitivity
living things, are responsive to both external and internal stimuli
what does the H stand for?
-homeostasis
living things must maintain a stable internal environment
what does the E stand for?
-excretion
living things must be able to remove waste products
what does the N stand for?
-nutrition
living things must exchange materials with the environment
what does the G stand for?
-growth
living things must be able to move and change shape/size
how does the unicellular organism paramecium carry out all of the life processes?
Paramecia are surrounded by small hairs called cilia which allow it to move (responsiveness)
Paramecia engulf food via a specialised membranous feeding groove called a cytostome (nutrition)
Food particles are enclosed within small vacuoles that contain enzymes for digestion (metabolism)
Solid wastes are removed via an anal pore, while liquid wastes are pumped out via contractile vacuoles (excretion)
Essential gases enter (e.g. O2) and exit (e.g. CO2) the cell via diffusion (homeostasis)
Paramecia divide asexually (fission) although horizontal gene transfer can occur via conjugation (reproduction)
how does the unicellular organism scenedesmus carry out all of the life processes?
Scenedesmus exchange gases and other essential materials via diffusion (nutrition / excretion)
Chlorophyll pigments allow organic molecules to be produced via photosynthesis (metabolism)
Daughter cells form as non-motile autospores via the internal asexual division of the parent cell (reproduction)
Scenedesmus may exist as unicells or form colonies for protection (responsiveness)
