Characteristics of Living Organisms (B1)

IGCSE biology

What are the 7 characteristics of a living organism?

Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition (MRS GREN)

What is movement?

An action by an organism that causes a change of position or place

What is respiration?

Chemical reactions that break down nutrient molecules in living cells to release energy

What is sensitivity?

A permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell numbers or cell size, or both

What is reproduction?

The process that makes more of the same kind of organism

What is excretion?

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

What is nutrition?

The taking in of nutrients, which are organic substances and animal oils, containing raw materials or energy for growth and tissue repair, involves absorbing and assimilating them

What is the difference between growth and development?

Growth is a process in which an organism or organ increases in size and mass physically through cell multiplication, while development lies in the physiological maturation of an organism, enabling the organism to function more effectively in capacity and skills.