The characteristics of living organisms

Question 1

Nutrition (feeding)

Answer 1

the process by which living organisms obtain or make food.

Question 2

Excretion

Answer 2

the process by which waste and harmful substances, produced by the body’s metabolism, are removed from the body.

Question 3

Growth

Answer 3

a permanent increase in the size and complexity of an organism

Question 4

Irritability (sensitivity)

Answer 4

the ability of organisms to detect and respond to changes in their environment or within themselves.

Question 5

Movement

Answer 5

a change in the position of a whole organism or of parts of an organism.

Note: Most animals can move their whole bodies from place to place, known as locomotion. Plants and some animals can only move parts of their bodies.

Question 6

Reproduction

Answer 6

the process by which living organisms generate new individuals of the same kind as themselves.

Question 7

Sexual reproduction

Answer 7

involves the fusion of gametes (sex cells) produced by two parents. Asexual
reproduction does not involve the fusion of gametes and requires only one parent.

Question 8

What is respiration?

Answer 8

Respiration takes place in the cells of all living things. It is the process that turns food into energy to power existing cells and build new ones. As with animals, respiration in plants takes place constantly, in daylight and darkness.

Question 9

What does ATP stand for and how is it produced?

Answer 9

ATP stands for Adenosine TriPhosphate, which is the life-giving energy in cells.
It is the chemical energy produced during respiration.

NOTE: To remember the name, imagine a den of sin (adenosine) in a teepee being raided by the police. The police can’t get through the flap, so the leader of the operation says: “Try force mate!” (triphosphate).