Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms
Shravani Sasalekar
What is the action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place?
Movement
What is the process that breaks down nutrient molecules in living cells to release energy?
Respiration
What term describes the ability to detect or sense changes in the environment?
Sensitivity
What is defined as a permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell number or size?
Growth
What processes make more of the same kind of organism?
Reproduction
What is the removal of toxic materials and waste products from organisms called?
Excretion
What is the term for taking in nutrients that contain raw materials or energy for growth and tissue repair?
Nutrition
What classification system aims to reflect evolutionary relationships among organisms?
Classification systems
What is the definition of a species?
Organisms which can reproduce successfully
What is the study of the overall form and shape of organisms called?
Morphology
What system of naming species consists of two parts, genus and species?
Binomial system
In the classification hierarchy, which level comes after Kingdom?
Phylum
What is the chemical from which chromosomes are made?
DNA
Which type of organism has a true nucleus?
Protocist
What are multi-cellular ingestive heterotrophs commonly referred to as?
Animals
What type of organism has a cellulose cell wall and can perform photosynthesis?
Plants
What is the term for organisms that feed off dead organisms or are parasites?
Saprotrophs
What are the four pairs of legs and two body segments characteristic of?
Arachnids
What type of plants do not produce flowers and reproduce by spores?
Ferns
What are flowering plants that reproduce sexually by means of flowers and seeds called?
Angiosperms
How many cotyledons do monocotyledons have?
One cotyledon
Which type of organism is covered by a protein coat and is non-living unless in a host?
Virus
What structure is found in all typical cells and controls the cell's activities?
Nucleus
What organelle is responsible for aerobic respiration in cells?
Mitochondria
Which component of plant cells helps maintain cell shape and stores food and water?
Vacuole
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Description
Explore the key characteristics of living organisms, including movement, respiration, and reproduction. Understand the classification system that groups organisms based on shared features and evolutionary relationships, using the binomial naming system.
Questions
Download Questions1. What is the primary function of mitochondria in a cell?
2. Which kingdom includes multi-cellular photosynthetic autotrophs with a cellulose cell wall?
3. What is the main characteristic of organisms classified under the phylum Arthropoda?
4. What is the primary function of red blood cells?
5. Which type of plant has leaves called fronds and reproduces by spores?
6. What is the main role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?
7. Which process involves the movement of water molecules through a partially permeable membrane?
8. What is the result when an enzyme is exposed to a temperature higher than its optimum?
9. Which chemical test is used to detect the presence of proteins in a sample?
10. What happens to a plant cell when it is placed in a solution with a lower solute concentration than its cytoplasm?
Study Notes
Overview of CIE IGCSE Biology: Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms
This document summarizes the key concepts regarding the characteristics, classification, and evolutionary relationships of living organisms as outlined in CIE IGCSE Biology. It covers essential biological traits, classification systems, and the structural differences between various organisms.
Characteristics of Living Organisms
- Key Traits: Living organisms exhibit movement, respiration, sensitivity to stimuli, growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition.
- Movement: Essential for survival; allows organisms to seek resources and evade threats.
- Respiration: A chemical process that releases energy necessary for life functions.
- Sensitivity: The ability to detect environmental changes and respond accordingly.
- Growth & Reproduction: Growth signifies health through cell division; reproduction ensures species continuity.
Classification Systems
- Species Definition: A species is a group capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.
- Morphology & Anatomy: Classification relies on physical forms (morphology) and internal structures (anatomy).
- Binomial Nomenclature: This system names species using two terms—genus (capitalized) and species (lowercase)—to standardize communication in biology.
Biological Kingdoms
- Animal Kingdom: Multi-cellular organisms that consume other living beings.
- Plant Kingdom: Multi-cellular photosynthetic organisms with cellulose cell walls.
- Fungi Kingdom: Can be single-celled or multi-cellular; feed on organic matter or live as parasites.
Vertebrate Classification
Vertebrates are categorized into groups such as Mammals, Reptiles, Fish, and Amphibians based on distinct physical traits and reproductive methods.
Key Takeaways
- Living organisms share essential characteristics that define their biological functions crucial for survival.
- The classification system helps organize species based on shared traits reflecting evolutionary relationships.
- Understanding cellular structures distinguishes between plant cells (with vacuoles, cell walls) and animal cells (lacking these features), highlighting their unique functionalities in processes like photosynthesis.
This concise overview encapsulates fundamental aspects of biology relevant to the IGCSE curriculum while emphasizing the importance of understanding both characteristics and classifications within the study of living organisms.
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