Characteristics & Classification of Living Organisms Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the provided IGCSE Biology lecture notes on the characteristics and classification of living organisms.

Movement

An action by 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/Irritability

The ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.

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 and substances in excess of requirements.

Nutrition

The taking in of materials for energy, growth and development; plants require light, carbon dioxide, water and ions; animals need organic compounds, ions and usually need water.

Species

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

Binomial System

A system where the scientific name of an organism is made up of two parts starting with the genus and followed by the species.

Sequence of Classification

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Morphology

The overall form and shape of an organism, e.g. whether it had wings or legs.

Anatomy

The detailed body structure as determined by dissection.

Myriapods

Consists of many segments, each segment contains at least 1 pair of jointed legs and 1 pair of antennae.

Insects

3 part body- head, thorax and abdomen, 3 pairs of jointed legs, 2 pairs of wings and 1 pair of antennae.

Arachnids

2 part body- cephalothorax and abdomen, 4 pairs of jointed legs and no antennae.

Crustaceans

More than 4 pairs of jointed legs, chalky exoskeleton formed from calcium, breathe through gills and 2 pairs of antennae.

Ferns

Have leaves called fronds and reproduce by spores produced on the underside of fronds.

Flowering Plants

Reproduce sexually by means of flowers and seeds, seeds are produced inside the ovary found at the base of the flower.

Monocotyledons

Flowers contain petals in multiples of 3.

Dicotyledons

Flowers contain petals in multiples of 4 or 5.

Monocotyledons

Leaves have parallel leaf veins.

Dicotyledons

Leaves have reticulated leaf veins.

Dichotomous Keys

Used to identify organisms based on a series of questions about their features.

Viruses

Are not considered living things because they do not carry out the seven life processes for themselves.

Nucleus

Contains genetic material in chromosomes which control how cells grow and work and controls cell division.

Cytoplasm

Supports cell structures, site of many chemical reactions and contains water and solutes.

Cell Wall

Gives the cell extra support and defines its shape.

Chloroplasts

Site of photosynthesis, providing food for plants. The chlorophyll pigments absorb light energy needed for the reaction to occur.

Vacuole

Contains cell sap, used for storage of certain materials, helps support the shape of the cell.

Mitochondria

Site of aerobic respiration, providing energy for the cell.

Ribosomes

Site of protein production in protein synthesis.

Vesicles

Used to safely transport substances from one part of the cell to another.

Tissues

Groups of cells of similar structure working together to perform the same function.

Organs

Made from different tissues working together to perform specific functions.

Organ Systems

Groups of organs with related functions, working together to perform body functions.

Cell Differentiation

The process by which cells become specialized to perform specific functions.

Cell Membrane

Control the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

Tissue

A group of similar cells that perform a specific function.

Organ

A structure in an organism that is composed of different tissues and performs a specific function.

A group of organs that work