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Biology: All Topics
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What are the seven characteristics of living organisms?
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Cambridge IGCSE Biology
Biology: All TopicsComplete deck
01·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
What are the seven characteristics of living organisms?
Answer
Movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion and nutrition.
02·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
What does MRS GREN stand for?
Answer
Movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion and nutrition.
03·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Define movement in living organisms.
Answer
An action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.
04·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Define respiration.
Answer
Chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism.
05·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Define sensitivity.
Answer
The ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment.
06·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Define growth.
Answer
A permanent increase in size and dry mass.
07·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Define reproduction.
Answer
Processes that make more of the same kind of organism.
08·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Define excretion.
Answer
The removal of waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements.
09·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Define nutrition.
Answer
The taking in of materials for energy, growth and development.
10·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
What is meant by dry mass?
Answer
The mass of an organism after its water has been removed.
11·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Does movement always involve an organism moving from place to place?
Answer
No. Moving only part of the organism, such as a growing shoot, also counts.
12·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
How does a plant shoot bending towards light show a characteristic of life?
Answer
It shows sensitivity because it detects and responds to light; the bending also involves movement.
13·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Why is breathing not the same as respiration?
Answer
Breathing moves air into and out of the lungs; respiration is chemical reactions within cells that release energy.
14·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Why is an increase in water content alone not proof of growth?
Answer
Growth is a permanent increase in size and dry mass, not simply a temporary increase in water.
15·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
How does excretion differ from the removal of undigested food?
Answer
Excretion removes metabolic waste and excess substances; removal of undigested food is egestion.
16·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
How do plants obtain materials for nutrition?
Answer
They take in water, mineral ions and carbon dioxide; photosynthesis produces sugars using light energy.
17·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
How do animals obtain materials for nutrition?
Answer
They take in and digest food containing nutrients for energy, growth and development.
18·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Why is energy released in respiration important?
Answer
It supports metabolic processes such as growth, active transport and muscle contraction.
19·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
A seedling increases in fresh mass after absorbing water. Is this sufficient evidence of growth?
Answer
No. Measure whether its size and dry mass have increased permanently.
20·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
An earthworm moves away when touched. Which two life characteristics are demonstrated?
Answer
Sensitivity, because it detects and responds to touch; and movement, because it changes position.
21·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
A fungus absorbs nutrients but does not photosynthesise. Does it show nutrition?
Answer
Yes. Nutrition means taking in materials for energy, growth and development; photosynthesis is not required.
22·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Why may a living organism fail to reproduce during an observation period?
Answer
Reproduction is a life characteristic, but an individual may not reproduce at that time or at all.
23·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
A plant removes excess water and carbon dioxide. Which life characteristic does this illustrate?
Answer
Excretion, when excess substances or metabolic waste are removed.
24·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
On what basis can organisms be classified into groups?
Answer
Shared features or characteristics.
25·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
What is a species?
Answer
A group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.
26·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
What does fertile offspring mean?
Answer
Offspring capable of reproducing themselves.
27·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
What is binomial nomenclature?
Answer
An internationally agreed naming system giving each species a two-part scientific name: genus and species.
28·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
What are the two parts of a scientific name?
Answer
The genus name followed by the species name.
29·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
What is a dichotomous key?
Answer
An identification key using a sequence of paired choices between contrasting features.
30·1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms
What does dichotomous mean?
Answer
Dividing into two alternatives at each step.