Characteristics of living things

• What are living things also called?

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

  MRS GRAN
• What does the 'M' in MRS GRAN stand for?

  Movement
• What does the 'R' in MRS GRAN stand for?

  Respiration
• What does the 'S' in MRS GRAN stand for?

  Sensitivity
• What does the 'G' in MRS GRAN stand for?

  Growth
• What does the 'R' in MRS GRAN stand for?

  Reproduction
• What does the 'A' in MRS GRAN stand for?

  Excretion
• What does the 'N' in MRS GRAN stand for?

  Nutrition
• Why are non-living things not considered organisms?

  They do not have all seven features
• What does movement refer to in living organisms?

  The ability to move or change position
• What is respiration in living organisms?

  A set of chemical reactions for energy
• What is metabolism?

  All chemical processes in an organism
• How do organisms respond to sensitivity?

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

  A permanent increase in size and dry mass
• What is reproduction in living organisms?

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

  Removal of waste products of metabolism
• What is nutrition in living organisms?

  Taking in materials for energy and growth
• What is a key characteristic 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 feature that viruses lack?

  Growth over time
• What is another feature that viruses lack?

  Excretion of waste
• What are the seven key features of living things?

  • Movement
  • Respiration
  • Sensitivity
  • Growth
  • Reproduction
  • Excretion
  • Nutrition
• How do living organisms differ from non-living things regarding the seven features?

  • Living organisms possess all seven features
  • Non-living things may have some features but not all
• What is the significance of dry mass in growth?

  • Represents the mass after removing water
  • Indicates true growth without water weight