Cambridge IGCSE Biology ClickBiology Cambridge IGCSE Biology Characteristics of Living Things

You will need to be able to: list and define the characteristics of living organisms

There are 7 characteristics: Movement Respiration Sensitivity Growth Reproduction Excretion Nutrition MRS GREN

Movement An action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.

Respiration The chemical reactions that break down nutrient molecules in living cells to release energy

Sensitivity The ability to detect or sense changes in the environment (stimuli) and to make responses.

Growth A permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell number or cell size or both.

Reproduction The processes that make more of the same kind of organism

Excretion The removal from organisms of toxic materials, the waste products of metabolism (chemical reactions in cells including respiration) and substances in excess of requirements.

Nutrition The taking in of nutrients which are organic substances and mineral ions, containing raw materials or energy for growth and tissue repair, absorbing and assimilating them.

Summary Movement Respiration Sensitivity Growth Reproduction Excretion Nutrition

Quiz Guess which characteristic is being demonstrated by the following animations:

Question 1: Which characteristic?

Question 2 : Which characteristic?

Question 3 : Which characteristic?

Question 4 : Which characteristic?

Question 5 Which two characteristics are shown by this animation:

Question 6 Other than movement, which characteristics are shown by this animation:

Question 7 So far you should have named a total of five different characteristics. However there are 7 characteristics in total. Name the two remaining characteristics.

Answers: How well did you do?

Question 1: Excretion

Question 2: Nutrition

Question 3: Movement

Question 4: Reproduction

Question 5: Sensitivity and Movement Which two characteristics are shown by this animation:

Question 6: Sensitivity and Nutrition Other than movement, which characteristics are shown by this animation:

Question 7: Growth and Respiration So far you should have named a total of five different characteristics. However there are 7 characteristics in total. Name the two remaining characteristics.

Now you should be able to list and define the characteristics of living organisms

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