B1 : characteristics of living organisms

Define movement.

Movement is an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.

What is the key idea needed in the definition of movement?

A change of position or place.

Give an example of movement in an animal.

A person walking.

Give an example of movement in a plant.

A shoot growing towards light.

Define respiration.

Respiration is the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism.

Where does respiration occur?

In cells.

What is broken down during respiration?

Nutrient molecules.

What is released during respiration?

Energy.

What is the energy used for?

Metabolism and other cell activities.

Define sensitivity.

Sensitivity is the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment.

What are stimuli?

Changes in the internal or external environment that organisms detect and respond to.

Give examples of external changes detected by organisms.

Light, Temperature, Sound.

Give an example of an internal change detected by organisms.

Changes in blood glucose concentration.

Define growth.

Growth is a permanent increase in size and dry mass.

What two measurements increase during growth?

Size, Dry mass.

Why is growth described as permanent?

Because the increase cannot be reversed.

Why is dry mass used instead of mass?

Because water content can vary and does not represent actual growth.

Define reproduction.

Reproduction is the processes that make more of the same kind of organism.

Why is reproduction important?

It ensures the continuation of the species.

What does reproduction produce?

More organisms of the same kind.

Define excretion.

Excretion is the removal of waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements.

What are waste products of metabolism?

Substances produced by chemical reactions in cells that are not needed and may be harmful.

Give examples of substances removed by excretion.

Carbon dioxide, Urea, Excess water.

Is removing faeces excretion?

No. Removal of faeces is egestion, not excretion.

Define nutrition.

Nutrition is the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development.

Why do organisms need nutrients?

For energy, growth and development.

What materials do plants take in for nutrition?

Carbon dioxide, Water, Mineral ions.

What materials do animals obtain through nutrition?

Organic nutrients from food.

State the seven characteristics of living organisms.

1. Movement 2. Respiration 3. Sensitivity 4. Growth 5. Reproduction 6. Excretion 7. Nutrition

Complete the definition: "Respiration is the chemical reactions in cells that __________ nutrient molecules and release __________ for metabolism."

Break down; energy.

Complete the definition: "Excretion is the removal of __________ products of metabolism and substances in __________ of requirements."

Waste; excess.

Complete the definition: "Growth is a permanent increase in size and __________ mass."

Dry.