Characteristic of Living Things

• What are the characteristics of living things also known as?

  Organisms
• What acronym can help remember the seven key features of living organisms?

  • M: Movement
  • R: Respiration
  • S: Sensitivity
  • G: Growth
  • R: Reproduction
  • E: Excretion
  • N: Nutrition
• Why is it important to note that only living things have all seven features?

  Because non-living things may exhibit some features but not all seven
• What does movement refer to in living organisms?

  The ability of organisms to move
• Can you give an example of movement in plants?

  Plants can turn their leaves towards the sun
• What is respiration in living organisms?

  A set of chemical reactions that break down nutrients to release energy
• What does metabolism refer to?

  All chemical processes that occur within an organism to keep it alive
• How do organisms demonstrate sensitivity?

  By detecting and responding to changes in their environment
• What can plants detect in their environment?

  Water, light intensity, temperature, and more
• What does growth mean in the context of living organisms?

  A permanent increase in size and dry mass
• How does a kitten growing into an adult cat illustrate growth?

  It shows a permanent increase in size and dry mass
• What is reproduction in living organisms?

  The process that makes more of the same kind of organism
• What does excretion refer to?

  The removal of waste products of metabolism
• What are examples of waste products that need to be excreted?

  Urea and carbon dioxide
• What does nutrition involve in living organisms?

  The taking in of materials for energy, growth, and development
• How do fungi and bacteria obtain nutrients?

  By absorbing nutrients from their surroundings
• What is a common characteristic of all living organisms?

  They are made up of one or more cells
• Why are viruses not considered living organisms?

  Because they do not meet the seven requirements of living things
• What is one requirement that viruses do not fulfill?

  They do not grow over time
• How do viruses excrete waste?

  They do not excrete waste in any way
• What are the seven features that all living organisms have in common?

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