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Questions and Answers
Which statement accurately describes the main difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?
Which statement accurately describes the main difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?
What is the primary purpose of mitosis in living organisms?
What is the primary purpose of mitosis in living organisms?
Which of the following is an example of homeostasis?
Which of the following is an example of homeostasis?
What distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?
What distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?
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Which process is primarily involved in the conversion of sunlight into glucose in plants?
Which process is primarily involved in the conversion of sunlight into glucose in plants?
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Study Notes
Classification of Entities
- Living things (biotic) demonstrate life and adaptability to their environment.
- Non-living things (abiotic) include resources that may be either finite or infinite.
Characteristics of Living Things
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Growth and Development
- Growth refers to measurable increases in size, height, or weight.
- Development is the process of gradual transformation, exemplified by a caterpillar metamorphosing into a butterfly.
- Mitosis facilitates cell duplication, supporting growth and tissue repair.
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Response to Stimuli
- Living organisms exhibit the ability to react to changes in their environment, such as light, temperature, and sound.
- Example: Plants orient themselves towards sunlight for optimal photosynthesis.
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Reproduction
- Sexual reproduction involves two parents, resulting in genetically unique offspring through meiosis.
- Asexual reproduction requires only one parent to create genetically identical offspring, utilizing methods like binary fission or budding.
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Metabolism
- Encompasses all chemical reactions within cells.
- Anabolic processes synthesize complex molecules (e.g., photosynthesis), while catabolic processes break down complex molecules (e.g., cellular respiration).
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DNA Presence
- DNA serves as the hereditary material, essential for reproduction and the continuity of genetic traits across generations.
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Homeostasis
- Refers to the maintenance of a stable internal environment in organisms despite external fluctuations.
- Example: Regulation of body temperature through mechanisms like shivering and sweating.
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Cellular Organization
- Indicates the structure and arrangement of components within cells, impacting function.
- Eukaryotic cells possess complex structures compared to prokaryotic cells.
Key Terms
- Biotic Factors: Living elements that influence ecosystems.
- Abiotic Factors: Non-living components, including water and minerals.
- Mitosis: The cellular division process responsible for growth and tissue repair.
- Meiosis: The method of cell division used for sexual reproduction.
- Homeostasis: The ability to maintain internal stability.
Examples of Living Characteristics
- Growth: Observable increase in a plant's height over time.
- Response: A flower blooming in reaction to sunlight exposure.
- Reproduction: Bacteria undergoing binary fission to multiply.
- Metabolism: Plants converting sunlight into glucose through photosynthesis.
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Description
Explore the fundamental characteristics that distinguish living things from non-living entities. This quiz covers topics like growth, reproduction, and adaptability. Understand how these traits define life in various organisms.
