characteristics of living organisms (savemyexams)

• Movement


  An action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place
• Respiration


  The chemical reactions that break down nutrient molecules in living cells to release energy for metabolism
• Aerobic respiration


  Glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water
• Anaerobic respiration in muscles during vigorous exercise

  Glucose -> lactic acid
• Anaerobic respiration in yeast

  Glucose -> alcohol + carbon dioxide
• Sensitivity


  The ability to detect and respond to stimuli in its surroundings
• Growth


  A permanent increase in size
• Reproduction


  The process that leads to the production of more of the same kind of organism
• Excretion


  The removal of metabolic waste
• Nutrition


  The taking in of materials for energy, growth and development
• Autotroph


  An organism that can produce its own food for energy
• What is the primary photosynthetic pigment in photosynthesis?

  The primary photosynthetic pigment in photosynthesis is chlorophyll.
• Define the term heterotroph.


  A heterotroph is an organism that obtains its energy and nutrients by consuming other organisms.
• What is the source of energy for plants in photosynthesis?

  Plants use sunlight as their primary source of energy for photosynthesis.
• Define the term respiration.


  Respiration is the biochemical process carried out in all living organisms, where cells release energy from glucose molecules.
• Define the term excretion.


  Excretion is the process of removing waste products produced by metabolic activities from an organism.
• Which term describes a plant's response to light?

  The term which describes a plant's response to light is phototropism.
• Define the term sensitivity.


  Sensitivity refers to an organism's ability to detect and respond to stimuli in its environment.
• What is movement in living organisms?

  Movement is any action causing a change in position or place by an organism.
• What are the main characteristics of a eukaryotic organisms?

  A eukaryotic organism is an organism whose cells contain membrane-bound organelles including a nucleus.
• True or False?

  
  

  Prokaryotic organisms contain a nucleus.

  False.

  
  

  Prokaryotic organisms do not contain a nucleus.
• True or False?

  
  

  Eukaryotic organisms include protoctists.

  True.

  
  

  Eukaryotic organisms include protoctists, animals, plants and fungi
• Define prokaryotic organism.


  A prokaryotic organism is an organism whose cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
• What are the distinguishing features of animals?

  Animals are multicellular, lack cellulose cell walls, lack chloroplasts, and have nervous coordination, among other traits.
• How do fungal cells store carbohydrates?

  Fungi store carbohydrates as glycogen.
• What are the distinguishing features of plants?

  Plants are multicellular, have cell walls made of cellulose, contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis, and store carbohydrates as starch or sucrose.
• Define protoctists.


  Protoctists are a diverse group of microscopic single-celled eukaryotic organisms that may have features resembling animal or plant cells.
• What is the feeding method of fungi known as?

  The feeding method of fungi is known as saprotrophic nutrition.
• True or False?

  
  

  Protoctists may include both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic organisms.

  True.

  
  

  Some protoctists perform photosynthesis, while others obtain energy from organic substances.
• True or False?

  
  

  All prokaryotic organisms are single-celled.

  True.

  
  

  Prokaryotic organisms are always single-celled.
• Define prokaryotic organism.


  A prokaryotic organism is a single-celled organism that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles in its cells.
• Define the term plasmid?


  A plasmid is a small circular loop of DNA found in prokaryotic cells.
• True or False?

  
  

  Bacteria have a nucleus.

  False.

  
  

  Bacteria lack a nucleus but contain a circular chromosome of DNA.
• What are the distinguishing characteristics of bacteria?

  Bacteria are microscopic, single celled organisms that have a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, and plasmids. They lack mitochondria, a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
• Define the term saprobiont.


  A saprobiont is an organism that feeds on dead organic matter.
• True or False?

  
  

  Bacteria can carry out photosynthesis without chloroplasts.

  True.

  
  

  Some bacteria can perform photosynthesis despite lacking chloroplasts.
• Name two examples of bacteria.

  Examples of bacteria include Lactobacillus (used in yogurt production) and Pneumococcus (causing pneumonia).
• Which foodstuff is produced using the bacteria Lactobacillus bulgaricus?

  Lactobacillus bulgaricus is used to make yoghurt.
• What is the cellular structure of a typical bacterial cell?

  A typical bacterial cell consists of a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, and a circular chromosome of DNA.
• True or False?

  
  

  All viruses are considered living organisms.

  False.

  
  

  Viruses are not considered living organisms because they do not carry out all life processes for themselves.