Characteristics of organisms

• What are living things also called?

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

  MRS GRAM
• What does the letter 'M' in MRS GRAM stand for?

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

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

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

  Growth
• What does the letter 'R' in MRS GRAM stand for, the second time?

  Reproduction
• What does the letter 'E' in MRS GRAM stand for?

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

  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 whole or part of body
• What is respiration in living organisms?

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

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

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

  The removal of waste products of metabolism
• Why do organisms need to excrete substances?

  To remove waste and excess materials
• What does nutrition involve for most animals?

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

  By absorbing nutrients from 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?

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

  They do not grow over time
• What is another feature that viruses lack compared to living organisms?

  They do not excrete waste in any way
• 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 exhibit some features
  • Only living things can grow, reproduce, and excrete