GCSE 1 living things Flashcards
What are the characteristics of living things?
- reproduce
- excrete
- grow
- nutrition
- sensitivity
- respiration
- homeostasis
- movement
How many cells are living things made of?
One!!!!
Describe the characteristic reproduce
To make more of the species. For example; plants drop seeds to reproduce.
Describe the characteristic excrete
To remove bodily waste and/or toxins. Also constitutes for skin. This relates to sweating.
Describe the characteristic grow
To increase in size. This is not limited to height in plants and animals and includes bones.
describe the characteristic nutrition
To take in nutrients that are necessary such as carbohydrates and vitamins.
Describe the characteristic sensitivity
responding to stimuli/responding to external events, e.g fingers
Describe the characteristic respiration
Releasing energy taken in from glucose. Breathing does not count because plants do not breathe. E.g lungs
Describe the characteristic homeostasis
Controlling an internal environment; things like glucose and water.
Describe the characteristic movement
Transporting yourself to another area to find food or get away from danger. Plants do this to get maximum light.
Describe “plant”
Plants are multicellular, their cells contain chloroplasts so they can photosynthesize for nutrients, store their food as carbohydrates, starches and sucrose. Their cell walls are composed of cellulose and they contain a nucleus. Examples of plants are maize, beans and peas.
Describe “animals”
Animals are multicellular and gain nutrition by eating other animals as their cells do not contain chloroplasts. Their food is stored as carbohydrates and glycogen. Cells do not have a cell wall, but still contain a nucleus. They often have nervous coordination and are able to move from one place to another. Examples of animals are humans and insects.
Describe “fungus/fungi”
Fungi can be both multicellular and unicellular, their nutrients are collected via the saprotrophic process, and their food is stored as carbohydrates and glycogen. Their bodies are usually made from thread like structures called hyphae. Their cell walls are composed of chitin and they contain a nucleus. Examples of fungi are Mucor and yeast.
Describe “bacteria”
Bacteria are unicellular, usually feed of the living and the dead (though some photosynthesize ) and their food store varies with species. The cells wall also varies with species, though they never have a nucleus but contain a circular chromosome of DNA. Examples of bacteria are lactobacillus and bulgarius.
Describe “protoctists”
Protoctists are unicellular, their nutrition and food store varies with species. They do not have a cell wall and may sometimes contain a nucleus. Examples of Protoctists are plasmodium and amoeba.
What are vertebrates
Vertebrates are animals with a backbone
What are invertebrates?
Invertebrates are animals without a backbone.
Describe “mammals”
These have hair or fur, are capable of regulating body temperature, give birth to fully formed babies and produce milk for their young.
Describe “fish”
They have gills, scales, they lay eggs, and live underwater.
Describe “birds”
have feathered wings, which enable them to fly, have beaks rather than teeth, and light bones that make them light enough to fly.
Define “reptiles”
They lay eggs. Though these are air-breathing animals, they can also live in water, but for very short durations (they need to come up above the water level in order to breathe). They have dry, scaly skin and can not regulate their body temperature.
Define “amphibians”
They lay eggs,usually in water and breathe through a combination of lungs, gills, and skin. They can not regulate their body temperatures, have moist skin and can live both on land and in water.
Define “porifera” (or sponges)
Their cells are held together so loosely that they do not form tissues. Most have pores found all over the body and have a large opening on the tops.
Define “mollusca” (or clams)
These generally have one foot that release slimy mucus. Though they are mostly found in water, they can also be found on land.
Define “platyhelminths” (or flat worms)
Mostly parasitic in nature and show bilateral symmetry. Most animals in this phyllum have only one body cavity, that serves as both the mouth and the anus. Both males and females have both male and female organs on them.
Define “annelida” (or segmented worms)
Most have bristled that help them move. They have soft bodies and can reproduce sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction is through rejuvenation.
Define “nematoda” (or round worms)
Slender, worm-like animals, typically less than 2.5 millimeters long. They are found in all types of habitats.
Define “Cnidaria” (or jellyfish)
Mostly found in marine habitats, the animals in this phyllum have a two layered body that is symmetrical. The outer body layer had stinging tentacles that can release venom into the victims body.
Define “Arthropoda” (or insects or crustaceans)
Has an exoskeleton, a segmented body and joined appendages. They include the insects, arachnids, crustaceans and others.
Define “echinodermata” (or starfish)
Most of these animals are sea creatures with a symmetrical body that is either star shaped, spherical or elongated. Most of them have a spiny exoskeleton and most have no proper head. Locomotion is achieved with the help of tubed feet.
Which species are vertebrates and which are invertebrates?
INVERTEBRATES
- Porifera
- Mollusca
- Platyhelminths
- Annelida
- Nematoda
- Cnidaria
- Arthropoda
- Echinodermata
- Protozoa
VERTEBRATES
- Mammals
- Fish
- Birds
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
What is a parasite?
Organisms that need a host to live, but do not give any benefit to the host.
What are viruses?
Viruses are small particles and ate smaller than bacteria. They are parasitic and are able to infect every type of living organism. They have a wide variety of shapes, though they have no cellular structure. They have a protein coat and contain one type of nucleic aid, either DNA or RNA. They are not classified as living things.
What are examples of a virus, what do they infect, and what are their effects?
- Influenza; birds, pigs, horses, ferrets, dogs, cats and humans. Causes the flu, which moves through the respiratory tract, attaches and takes over the cells until they die and then are released to attach to another cell.
-HIV Virus; humans.
This causes the AIDS disease, which causes white blood cells to break down, which breaks down your immune system in turn.
Why are viruses not classified as living things?
Viruses cannot reproduce without a host cell and they cannot move or respire.
What is the saprotrophic process?
The extra cellular secretion of digestive enzymes into food material and absorption of organic products
What is a pathogen?
A pathogen is anything that can cause a disease and may include fungi, bacteria, protoctists or viruses
Describe the function of each part of a plant cell
Nucleus - to store the cells hereditary information or DNA
Cytoplasm - provides support to all of the internal structures of a cell
Cell Membrane - controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell and acts as a barrier and protection
Cell wall - it provides the cell with support and protection as well as a filtration system
Mitochondria - release energy that the cell can utilize
Chloroplasts - absorb light energy to allow a plant to photosynthesize
Ribosomes - creates proteins for the cell to help it repair damages
Vacuole - stores dissolved sugars, mineral ions and other solutions
Describe the function of each part of an animal cell
Nucleus - to store the cells hereditary information or DNA
Cytoplasm - provides support to all of the internal structures of a cell
Cell membrane - controls the movement of substances in and outside of a cell.
Mitochondria - release energy that the cell can utilize
Ribosomes - make proteins for the cell to help it repair damages
What is cell differentiation?
A process of which a cell changes from one type to another to become more specialized.
Why is cell differentiation important?
Multicellular organisms need specialized cells that perform different functions, and cell differentiation is the process of which cells change to take on a specialization. It is important because any multicellular organism need specialized cells because they perform different required functions of that organism.
