Biology: Characteristics of Living Organisms

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Questions and Answers

What does the acronym 'MRS.GREN' stand for in the characteristics of living organisms?

Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition (correct)

Movement, Recovery, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproductive, Excretion, Nutrition

Mobility, Respiration, Sensation, Growth, Reproductive, Excretion, Nutritional

Motion, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition

Which of the following is NOT one of the five kingdoms of classification?

Plant kingdom

Fungi kingdom

Animal kingdom

Mineral kingdom (correct)

What is the primary function of respiration in living organisms?

To increase in size over time

To detect environmental stimuli

To produce offspring

To release energy from nutrient molecules (correct)

The father of systematic biology, who developed binomial nomenclature, is known as?

Carl Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of excretion in the context of living organisms?

The removal of metabolic waste products Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the growth characteristic of living organisms?

Growth represents a permanent increase in size and mass Signup and view all the answers

In which kingdom do unicellular organisms without a nucleus belong?

Monerans (Bacteria) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of living organisms is associated with an action causing a change in position or place?

Movement Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes plant cells from animal cells?

Plant cells have cell walls made out of cellulose. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of chloroplasts in plant cells?

Photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which cell organelle is known as the 'powerhouse of the cell'?

Mitochondrion Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of enzymes in the body?

They break down larger molecules into smaller ones. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a catalyst in the context of enzymes?

A substance that speeds up chemical reactions without being consumed. Signup and view all the answers

What process describes the movement of water molecules through a partially permeable membrane?

Osmosis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes an enzyme's active site?

The region where the substrate is transformed into the product. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a characteristic of diffusion?

Results from random particle motion Signup and view all the answers

How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Optimum temperature promotes maximum enzyme function. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the roles of lysosomes in a cell?

Engulfing foreign bodies Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of lipases in digestion?

To break fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding ribosomes?

They synthesize proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What do red blood cells lack that prevents them from dividing?

Nucleus Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about DNA is true?

DNA forms a double helix structure. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT affect the rate of diffusion?

Color of molecules Signup and view all the answers

What are the end products of digestion for carbohydrates?

Simple sugars. Signup and view all the answers

What type of biological molecule is primarily responsible for storing long-term energy?

Lipids Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reaction uses energy to build complex molecules?

Anabolic reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What role do structural proteins play in cells?

They contribute to the physical structure of cells. Signup and view all the answers

What test would you use to identify the presence of starch?

Iodine solution test Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following classes of nutrients is essential for energy storage?

Fats. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of carbohydrates is considered a polysaccharide?

Starch Signup and view all the answers

What happens to enzymes when the pH levels are very high or very low?

They become denatured and lose functionality. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'water potential' signify in a solution?

The likelihood of losing or gaining water molecules Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of buffers in enzyme activity experiments?

To control the pH at optimal levels for the reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of digestion referred to as?

Mastication. Signup and view all the answers

Which vitamin is crucial for maintaining healthy vision and supporting the immune system?

Vitamin A Signup and view all the answers

What role do minerals such as calcium play in the human body?

Supports muscle contractions Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during dehydration?

Reduced blood volume Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of transpiration in plants?

Temperature regulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of xylem in plants?

Transport water and minerals Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the process by which plants move nutrients and sugars from areas of production to areas of use?

Translocation Signup and view all the answers

What conditions arise from a deficiency of vitamin C?

Scurvy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the components of blood?

Red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the circulatory system carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart?

Arteries Signup and view all the answers

How do higher temperatures affect the rate of transpiration in plants?

It accelerates transpiration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding dehydration?

It forces the heart to pump harder Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes sources and sinks in plant translocation?

Sources are locations of sugar production, sinks are where sugars are utilized Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral is primarily associated with the formation of red blood cells?

Iron Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of consuming excessive water?

Hyponatremia Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

B1. Characteristics of Living Organisms

Classification: A scientific method of grouping organisms based on similarities.
Carl Linnaeus: Considered the Father of Systematic Biology.
Nomenclature: Giving organisms a two-part name (genus and species).
Taxonomy: Organizing organisms into groups.
Kingdoms: Five main groups – Animal, Plant, Monera/Bacteria, Fungi.
Animal Kingdom: Cells lack cell walls.
Plant Kingdom: Obtain energy from sunlight.
Monera/Bacteria: Mostly unicellular, lack a nucleus.
Fungi Kingdom: Found everywhere, spread via spores.
MRS GREN: Acronym for characteristics of living organisms: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition.

B2. Cells and Cell Structures

Animal Cells: Multicellular, contain a nucleus with a membrane, no cell walls or chloroplasts, feed on organic matter.
Plant Cells: Multicellular, contain a nucleus with a membrane, have cellulose cell walls and chloroplasts, perform photosynthesis, store carbohydrates as starch or sucrose.
Nucleus: Controls cellular activities, site of ribosome synthesis.
Nuclear Membrane: Boundary protecting the nucleus.
Chromosomes: Structures involved in determining an individual's sex. Humans have 23 pairs.
Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis.
Mitochondria: "Powerhouse" of the cell, produces energy.
Lysosomes: Protect the cell by removing foreign bodies.
Chloroplasts: Photosynthesis organelles, contain chlorophyll.
Vacuoles: Store food, water, and waste.
Magnification: Calculating actual size from image size.
Specialized Cells: Ciliated cells (move mucus), Palisade mesophyll cells (photosynthesis), Red blood cells (oxygen transport), Sperm/egg cells (reproduction), Root hair cells (absorption), Neurons (electrical conduction).

B3. Movement into and out of Cells

Water Potential: Measures a solution's tendency to gain or lose water.
Diffusion: Movement of molecules from high to low concentration.
Cell Membrane: Partially permeable, allowing small molecules but not larger ones to pass.
Brownian Motion: Constant random movement of particles.
Diffusion Factors: Temperature (higher = faster), particle size (smaller = faster), concentration gradient (larger = faster), diffusion medium (gas > liquid > solid), surface area (larger = faster).
Osmosis: Diffusion of water across a partially permeable membrane from high water potential to low water potential.
High Water Potential: Low solute concentration (dilute).
Low Water Potential: High solute concentration (concentrated).

B4. Biological Molecules

Biological Molecules: Substances produced by living organisms.
Elements: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur.
Examples: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
Carbohydrates: Sugars, starch, cellulose. Simple (monosaccharides), complex (disaccharides), polysaccharides.
Lipids: Fats and oils. Formed from fatty acids and glycerol.
Proteins: Enzymes (control reactions), structural components. Made of amino acids.
Nucleic Acids: DNA (genetic information), RNA. Double helix structure with paired bases (A-T, C-G).

B5. Enzymes

Enzymes: Biological catalysts, speed up metabolic reactions, are not changed by the reaction.
Substrate: Molecule an enzyme acts on.
Product: Molecule formed after the reaction.
Active Site: Where substrate binds.
Anabolic Reactions: Build complex molecules from simpler ones.
Catabolic Reactions: Break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.
Optimum Temperature: Best temperature for enzyme activity (around 37°C).
Denaturation: Permanent damage to enzyme structure caused by extreme temperatures or pH.
Optimum pH: Varies for different enzymes.
Chemical Digestion: Enzymes breaking down food molecules in the alimentary canal.
Digestive Enzymes: Carbohydrases (amylase), proteases, lipases. Examples include amylase (starch to sugar), protease (protein to amino acids), lipase (fats to fatty acids and glycerol).
Mechanical Digestion: Physical breakdown of food (mastication).

B7. Human Nutrition

Balanced Diet: Contains carbohydrates and fats (energy), protein (amino acids for growth and repair), vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
Fats: Source of energy, essential fatty acids for growth, provide insulation for body, carry vitamins.
Proteins: Build cells and tissue, repair damaged tissue.
Vitamins: Essential nutrients for chemical reactions, come in various forms.
Minerals/Salts: Important for various functions (calcium for bones, iron for blood).
Water: Essential for numerous bodily functions, involved in temperature regulation, removing waste, transporting nutrients.

B8. Transport in Plants

Transpiration: Loss of water vapour through leaves.
Xylem: Transports water and minerals.
Phloem: Transports sugars and other nutrients.
Transpiration Factors: Temperature, wind speed.
Xylem Structure: Dead cells with thickened, lignin-containing walls (hollow tubes).
Wilting: Loss of structural rigidity in plant tissues due to water loss.
Translocation: Movement of sucrose and amino acids (sugars) throughout the plant from sources to sinks.
Sources: Produce sugars (leaves).
Sinks: Use or store sugars (roots, fruits, growing tissues).

B9. Transport in Animals

Circulatory System: Transports blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients, removing waste.
Heart: Muscular organ that pumps blood.
Blood: Composed of red and white blood cells, plasma, and platelets.
Blood Vessels: Arteries (carry oxygenated blood away from the heart), veins (carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart) , capillaries (exchange of materials).

B11. Gas Exchange in Humans

(Information on gas exchange is not explicitly detailed in the provided text. If further information is needed, please clarify.)*

B12. Respiration

(Information on respiration is not explicitly detailed in the provided text. If further information is needed, please clarify.)*

B13. Coordination and Response

(Information on coordination and response is not explicitly detailed in the provided text. If further information is needed, please clarify.)*

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Description

Explore the fundamental characteristics of living organisms, including classification, nomenclature, and the five kingdoms. Learn about the structural differences between animal and plant cells, and discover the MRS GREN acronym for vital life processes. This quiz will test your understanding of these essential biological concepts.