Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary distinction between growth and development in living organisms?
What is the primary distinction between growth and development in living organisms?
Which statement accurately describes unicellular organisms?
Which statement accurately describes unicellular organisms?
How do autotrophs differ from heterotrophs?
How do autotrophs differ from heterotrophs?
What role does homeostasis play in living organisms?
What role does homeostasis play in living organisms?
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Which of the following correctly characterizes asexual reproduction?
Which of the following correctly characterizes asexual reproduction?
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What is the significance of DNA in living organisms?
What is the significance of DNA in living organisms?
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What does the term 'survival of the fittest' refer to in the context of evolution?
What does the term 'survival of the fittest' refer to in the context of evolution?
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Which levels of organization are correctly identified as living levels in biological systems?
Which levels of organization are correctly identified as living levels in biological systems?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Life
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Growth and Development:
- All life begins as a single cell.
- Growth is the increase in the amount of living material (cells).
- Development is the differentiation of cells and tissues.
- Growth and development occur in unicellular and multicellular organisms, though to different extents and in different ways. Growth is quantitive change, development is qualitative.
- Unicellular organisms exhibit both growth and development.
- Multicellular organisms undergo continuous growth and development.
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Made of Cells:
- All living things are composed of cells.
- Cells can be unicellular (single-celled) or multicellular (many-celled).
- Cells are of two basic types: prokaryotic and eukaryotic.
- All cells contain DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).
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Levels of Organization:
- Unicellular organisms represent the simplest level of life.
- Multicellular organisms have multiple levels of cellular organization, from cells to tissues, organs, to organ systems. Non-living levels - atoms, molecule, and cell organelles.
- Cells specialize and work together.
- There's a hierarchy of organization: cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome.
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Respond to Stimuli:
- Organisms respond to internal and external changes in their environment.
- Homeostasis is maintaining the internal environment in the face of external changes.
- Organisms can respond to a wide range of stimuli, such as temperature changes, light, sound, and touch, both internally and externally. Examples include sweating, shivering, digestive actions, and panting.
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Require Energy:
- All living things need a source of energy to power life processes.
- Autotrophs (producers) create their own food, often through photosynthesis. (phototrophs).
- Heterotrophs (consumers) obtain energy by consuming other organisms (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, detritivores, decomposers).
- Cellular respiration is a key process for energy release in heterotrophs. Chemotrophs obtain energy from chemical reactions.
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Reproduction and Evolution:
- Reproduction is not essential for the survival of an individual organism but for the survival of a species.
- Asexual reproduction involves a single organism creating offspring without the need of another.
- Sexual reproduction requires two parents.
- Evolution is the process by which organisms adapt to their environment over time. Evolution affects the genes and DNA of future generations—changes in genetics cause adaptability.
- Organisms adapt to their environment.
- Extinction is the disappearance of a species from Earth.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental characteristics that define life, focusing on growth, development, cellular composition, and organization. It covers both unicellular and multicellular organisms and highlights the differences in their life processes. Test your understanding of what constitutes living organisms!
