Characteristics of Living Things

• What are living things also called?

  Organisms
• What acronym helps remember the seven key features of living things?

  MRS GRAN
• What does each letter in MRS GRAN stand for?

  • M: Movement
  • R: Respiration
  • S: Sensitivity
  • G: Growth
  • R: Reproduction
  • A: Excretion
  • N: Nutrition
• What does movement refer to in living organisms?

  The ability of organisms to move
• How can a plant demonstrate movement?

  By turning its leaves towards the sun
• What is respiration in living organisms?

  A set of chemical reactions to release energy
• What does metabolism refer to?

  All chemical processes in an organism
• How do organisms respond to changes in their environment?

  By detecting and responding to stimuli
• What is sensitivity in living organisms?

  The ability to detect environmental changes
• How do plants demonstrate sensitivity?

  By detecting water and light intensity
• What does growth mean in the context of living organisms?

  A permanent increase in size and dry mass
• How does a cat demonstrate growth?

  By growing from a kitten to an adult
• What is reproduction in living organisms?

  The process of making more of the same kind
• How do bacteria reproduce?

  By dividing into two smaller bacteria
• What types of waste products are removed during excretion?

  Urea and carbon dioxide
• What does excretion refer to in living organisms?

  The removal of waste products of metabolism
• What does nutrition involve in living organisms?

  The intake of materials for energy and growth
• What are the common characteristics of living organisms?

  • Movement
  • Respiration
  • Sensitivity
  • Growth
  • Reproduction
  • Excretion
  • Nutrition
• How do fungi obtain their nutrients?

  By absorbing nutrients from surroundings
• What is a key characteristic that distinguishes living organisms from non-living things?

  Living organisms have all seven features
• Why are viruses not considered living organisms?

  They do not meet the seven requirements
• What is one feature that viruses lack?

  They do not excrete waste
• What is the significance of the seven features of living things?

  They define what constitutes an organism
• How do the features of living things help in classifying organisms?

  They provide criteria for defining organisms