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Questions and Answers
What is the fundamental unit of life according to cell theory?
What is the fundamental unit of life according to cell theory?
Which type of cell contains a true nucleus?
Which type of cell contains a true nucleus?
What is the main purpose of reproduction in living organisms?
What is the main purpose of reproduction in living organisms?
Which type of reproduction does NOT involve gametes?
Which type of reproduction does NOT involve gametes?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding prokaryotic cells?
Which of the following statements is true regarding prokaryotic cells?
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What term is used to describe movement in organisms that can move on their own?
What term is used to describe movement in organisms that can move on their own?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of life?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of life?
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In which type of organism would you find eukaryotic cells?
In which type of organism would you find eukaryotic cells?
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What type of growth movement is characterized by being directional?
What type of growth movement is characterized by being directional?
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Which of the following statements describes autotrophs?
Which of the following statements describes autotrophs?
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What process allows a unicellular organism to increase its volume?
What process allows a unicellular organism to increase its volume?
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Which term describes the sum of all chemical reactions within an organism?
Which term describes the sum of all chemical reactions within an organism?
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What is the result of catabolic reactions within an organism?
What is the result of catabolic reactions within an organism?
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How do heterotrophs acquire energy?
How do heterotrophs acquire energy?
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Which of the following is true about nastic movements?
Which of the following is true about nastic movements?
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What is the primary role of chlorophyll in autotrophs?
What is the primary role of chlorophyll in autotrophs?
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What does DNA stand for?
What does DNA stand for?
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What is the primary concept that Charles Darwin introduced regarding evolution?
What is the primary concept that Charles Darwin introduced regarding evolution?
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Which of the following statements about viruses is true?
Which of the following statements about viruses is true?
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Which process do living organisms use to respond to changes in their environment?
Which process do living organisms use to respond to changes in their environment?
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What is meant by 'fitness' in the context of evolution?
What is meant by 'fitness' in the context of evolution?
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Which level of organization in living things comes directly after 'cell'?
Which level of organization in living things comes directly after 'cell'?
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What is the term for maintaining a constant internal state in living organisms?
What is the term for maintaining a constant internal state in living organisms?
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What do random mutations in DNA lead to in a population?
What do random mutations in DNA lead to in a population?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Life
- All living organisms, regardless of size or complexity, share the same fundamental characteristics.
- Cell Theory defines that all living things are made of one or more cells and that all cells originate from pre-existing cells.
- There are two types of cells: eukaryotic (with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles) and prokaryotic (without a true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles).
Reproduction
- All living things reproduce to ensure genetic continuity across generations.
- Two main reproduction types:
- Sexual reproduction involves sperm and egg (gametes).
- Asexual reproduction does not involve gametes.
Movement
- Organisms exhibit locomotion or growth movements.
- Free-moving organisms display locomotion; non-free moving organisms show nastic (non-directional) and tropic (directional) growth movements.
Energy Use
- Organisms acquire energy in two ways:
- Autotrophs produce their own glucose via photosynthesis using chlorophyll and sunlight.
- Heterotrophs must consume other organisms to obtain energy.
- Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in organisms and includes two branches:
- Anabolism (building large complex molecules).
- Catabolism (breaking down large molecules into simpler ones).
Growth and Development
- Unicellular organisms grow by increasing their cytoplasm volume; multicellular organisms grow through cell division and specialization into various tissue types.
Levels of Organization
- Living things exhibit levels of organization from atoms to the organism level:
- Atom > Molecule > Macromolecule > Organelle > Cell > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organism.
Genetic Information
- Genetic information is stored in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and may also be found in RNA for viruses, which do not fit all life characteristics and are considered non-living.
Response to Environment
- All living organisms respond to environmental stimuli, which may be internal or external, thereby maintaining homeostasis (a stable internal equilibrium).
Adaptation and Evolution
- Charles Darwin proposed natural selection as the mechanism of evolution.
- Random mutations in DNA lead to variation; individuals with advantageous traits have higher fitness, improving their chances of survival and reproduction.
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Description
Explore the fundamental characteristics shared by all living organisms. This quiz will cover various examples, from simple microorganisms to complex beings, and assess your understanding of the foundational traits that define life. Test your knowledge of the basic life forms and their features!
