Combined science
Biology (revision)
1. Characteristics of living organisms
1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms by defining the terms:
M ovement
R espiration
S ensitivity
G rowth
R eproduction
E xcretion
N utrition
1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms by defining the terms:
Movement
An action by an
organism (or part)
causing a change
of position or
place.
Some plants move towards the
light (phototropism) The carnivorous plant Venus
flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one of a
very small group of plants capable
of rapid movement, trapping the prey
inside.
The hiena (prey) is running from the lions
(predators) using its muscles to move.
1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms by defining the terms:
Respiration
The chemical
reactions in cells that
breakdown nutrient
molecules and
release energy.
The chemical energy
that is contained within
the nutrient molecule!
respiration
This is the
respiration equation
(word and chemical)
Energy is not a
product of
you need to know it! reaction. If they
ask you for the
equation, don’t
mention energy.
Breathing respiration
We breathe (ventilation – inhale and exhale) to get
oxygen into our lungs and, from them, into our blood. That
oxygen will be delivered to every cell of the body in order
to respiration occur.
We breathe to In the presence of oxygen, the chemical
get oxygen for energy contained in glucose molecules will be
converted into other forms for use in doing
respiration! work (e.g. electrical energy for nerve impulse).
1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms by defining the terms:
Sensitivity
The ability to detect
and respond to
changes in the
environment (stimuli).
internal and external environments
change in blood change in temperature
[CO2]
1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms by defining the terms:
Growth
A permanent increase
in size.
There is an increase in dry mass
(i.e. mass without water) by an
increase in cell number, or cell
size, or both.
1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms by defining the terms:
Reproduction Asexual
The ability to make
&
more of the same
kind of organism –
Sexual
maintaining or
increasing their
number.
1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms by defining the terms:
Waste products
Excretion are those resultant
Removal from from metabolic
reactions! Faeces
organisms of toxic are undigested
materials and food!
substances in excess of
requirements.
Feaces are not waste products!
As so, we cannot say that we
excret feaces…
excretion
Carbon dioxide
Ammonia
The fish eliminates (excretes) carbon dioxide from its body and
ammonia (in urine), both of which are waste products.
If living things did not get rid of waste products they would
accumulate in the body and poison the organism.
1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms by defining the terms:
Nutrition
Taking in of materials
for energy, growth and
development.
The link between nutrition and respiration is the
glucose molecule – we get that from nutrition and by
doing respiration, we release the chemical energy
within it.
nutrition
Plants are producers, but that does not mean that they
don’t need nutrients. Light, carbon dioxide, water and mineral ions
are essential nutrients for a plant to photosynthesize.
Sample questions
The equation shows a chemical reaction that occurs in living
organisms.
glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
Which of these characteristics of living organisms is this equation
associated with?
The equation shows a chemical reaction that occurs in living
organisms.
glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
Which of these characteristics of living organisms is this equation
associated with?
The diagram illustrates some of the processes carried out by living organisms.
Which characteristic of living organisms is represented by arrow X?
A excretion
B nutrition
C respiration
D sensitivity
The diagram illustrates some of the processes carried out by living organisms.
Which characteristic of living organisms is represented by arrow X?
A excretion
B nutrition
C respiration
D sensitivity
What is not a characteristic of all living organisms?
A excretion
B photosynthesis
C reproduction
D respiration
What is not a characteristic of all living organisms?
A excretion
B photosynthesis
C reproduction
D respiration
Which characteristics of living things are demonstrated by this sequence?
A growth and reproduction
B growth and sensitivity
C nutrition and reproduction
D nutrition and sensitivity
Which characteristics of living things are demonstrated by this sequence?
A growth and reproduction
B growth and sensitivity
C nutrition and reproduction
D nutrition and sensitivity
What is respiration?
A breathing
B giving out carbon dioxide
C releasing energy from food
D taking in oxygen
What is respiration?
A breathing
B giving out carbon dioxide
C releasing energy from food
D taking in oxygen
