Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms

A set of 30 vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, classification rules, and characteristics of living organisms from the Cambridge IGCSE Biology Question Paper 1.

Species

A group of individuals that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.

Respiration

The chemical process represented by $\text{glucose} + \text{oxygen} \rightarrow \text{carbon dioxide} + \text{water}$, which releases the energy required for processes such as growth.

Urea

A waste substance produced in the liver.

Rattus

The genus to which an organism with the scientific name Rattus rattus belongs.

Phototropism

A plant response that demonstrates two fundamental characteristics of living organisms: growth and sensitivity.

Expired air

Air breathed out by a human, containing approximately $16\%$ oxygen and higher levels of water vapour and carbon dioxide compared to atmospheric air.

Binomial system

The standardized system of naming an organism using two Latin names representing its genus and species, such as Ranunculus acris or Homo sapiens.

Monocotyledon

A type of flowering plant whose leaves are characterized by parallel veins.

Eudicotyledon (dicotyledon)

A flowering plant characterized by broad leaves containing a network of veins rather than parallel veins.

Sensitivity

The characteristic of living things shown when an organism responds to a stimulus, such as a lizard detaching its tail when threatened by a predator.

Bony fish

A class of vertebrates characterized by having a backbone, scales, and jelly-covered eggs, but lacking hair and external ears.

Mammals

A vertebrate group typically characterized by hair, external ears, maintaining a constant body temperature, and giving birth to live young.

Amphibians

A class of vertebrates distinguished by having moist skin and four limbs, while lacking hair, feathers, and dry scaly skin.

Protein

An organic substance distinguishable in identification keys by containing both carbon and nitrogen.

Vertebrates

A major animal group that includes all fish, all birds, all reptiles, all amphibians, and all mammals.

Excretion

A fundamental characteristic shown by all living organisms that involves the removal of metabolic waste products.

Photosynthesis

A metabolic process performed by green plants using light energy that is not a characteristic of all living organisms.

Segmented bodies

A structural characteristic shared by both annelids and arthropods.

Growth

A permanent increase in size shown by living organisms, which explains why human energy needs increase during the first ten years of life.

Nutrition

The characteristic of living organisms that provides the raw materials needed for tissue repair and energy.

Annelids

A group of invertebrate animals with segmented bodies that are distinct from arthropods.

Arthropods

Invertebrates characterized by segmented bodies and jointed limbs, encompassing groups like insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.

Venus fly-trap

A plant that captures insects on its leaves and digests them using digestive juices, demonstrating nutrition and sensitivity.

Viola

The genus shared by Viola palustris and Viola tricolor, indicating that they share the greatest number of features.

Arenicola

The genus shared by Arenicola cristata and Arenicola marina, making them more closely related to each other than species from different genera.

Hexagenia

An arthropod identified by having jointed legs, three pairs of legs, and a tail.

Dytiscus

An arthropod identified by having jointed legs, three pairs of legs, and no tail.

Argyroneta

An arthropod identified by having jointed legs and exactly four pairs of legs.

Asellus

An arthropod identified by having jointed legs and more than four pairs of legs.

Falco peregrinus

The scientific binomial name of an organism in which Falco designates the genus and peregrinus designates the species.