Characteristics of living things (organisms)

• What are the characteristics of living things called?

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

  MRS GREN

  movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction excretion and nutrition
• Why is it important to note that non-living things may have some features of living things?

  Only living things have all seven features
• What does movement refer to in living organisms?

  The ability to move or change position
• How can plants demonstrate movement?

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

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

  All chemical processes in an organism
• What does sensitivity refer to in living organisms?

  The ability to detect and respond to changes
• How do organisms control their internal environment?

  By detecting and responding to changes
• What does growth mean in the context of living organisms?

  A permanent increase in size and dry mass
• How can bacteria demonstrate growth?

  By increasing in size as a single cell
• What is reproduction in living organisms?

  The process of making more of the same kind
• What does excretion refer to?

  The removal of waste products of metabolism
• Why is excretion important for living organisms?

  To remove waste and excess substances
• What does nutrition involve in living organisms?

  Taking in materials for energy and growth
• How do fungi and bacteria obtain nutrition?

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

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

  They do not meet the seven requirements
• What is one requirement that viruses do not fulfill?

  They do not grow over time
• What is another requirement that viruses do not fulfill?

  They do not excrete waste
• What are the seven key features of living organisms?

  • Movement
  • Respiration
  • Sensitivity
  • Growth
  • Reproduction
  • Excretion
  • Nutrition
• What distinguishes living organisms from non-living things regarding the seven features?

  • Only living organisms have all seven features
  • Non-living things may exhibit some features