Characteristics of Living Organisms

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Questions and Answers

Which characteristic is NOT shared by all living organisms?

  • Photosynthesis (correct)
  • Nutrition
  • Growth and development
  • Respiration

All fungi can carry out photosynthesis.

False (B)

What is the primary carbohydrate storage form in animals?

glycogen

Plants store carbohydrates as ______ or sucrose.

<p>starch</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each eukaryotic organism to its characteristic:

<p>Plants = Contain chloroplasts Animals = No cell walls Fungi = Chitin cell walls Protoctists = Some have chloroplasts, some do not</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which organism is responsible for causing malaria?

<p>Plasmodium (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Animals are unicellular organisms.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the body structure of fungi primarily composed of?

<p>mycelium</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is NOT found in prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria?

<p>Nucleus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All bacteria can perform photosynthesis.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe disease-causing microorganisms?

<p>Pathogen</p> Signup and view all the answers

Viruses can only reproduce inside __________ cells.

<p>living</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following examples with the correct type of pathogen:

<p>Lactobacillus bulgaricus = Bacteria HIV = Virus Fusarium = Fungi Plasmodium = Protoctist</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Characteristics of Living Organisms

  • Require nutrition to maintain life processes
  • Respiration is essential for energy production
  • Excrete waste to eliminate harmful by-products
  • Respond to environmental stimuli for survival
  • Movement is a key feature for many organisms
  • Control of internal conditions (homeostasis) is crucial for stability
  • Reproduction ensures the continuation of the species
  • Growth and development signify life progression

Common Features of Eukaryotic Organisms

Plants

  • Multicellular organisms with chloroplasts for photosynthesis
  • Cell walls made of cellulose
  • Store carbohydrates as starch or sucrose
  • Examples: cereal (maize) and herbaceous legumes (peas, beans)

Animals

  • Multicellular without chloroplasts; unable to perform photosynthesis
  • Lack cell walls, allowing for diverse movement
  • Often possess nervous coordination for response to stimuli
  • Store carbohydrates primarily as glycogen
  • Examples: mammals (humans) and insects (housefly, mosquito)

Fungi

  • Cannot perform photosynthesis; feed through saprotrophic nutrition
  • Body typically organized into mycelium composed of hyphae (thread-like structures)
  • Cell walls made of chitin; may store carbohydrates as glycogen
  • Examples: Mucor (fungal structure) and yeast (single-celled)

Protoctists

  • Microscopic, often single-celled organisms with diverse features
  • Some resemble animal cells (e.g., Amoeba), while others resemble plant cells (e.g., Chlorella)
  • Pathogenic example includes Plasmodium, the malaria-causing organism

Common Features of Prokaryotic Organisms

Bacteria

  • Microscopic single-celled organisms with a cell wall and membrane
  • Contain cytoplasm and plasmids, but lack a nucleus
  • Possess a circular chromosome of DNA
  • Many feed on living or dead organisms, some can photosynthesize
  • Examples: Lactobacillus bulgaricus (yoghurt production) and Pneumococcus (causes pneumonia)

Pathogens

  • Pathogens include fungi, bacteria, protoctists, and viruses
  • Viruses are non-living entities that reproduce only inside living cells
  • Smaller than bacteria with a protein coat and nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)
  • Examples: tobacco mosaic virus (affects tobacco plants), influenza virus (causes flu), HIV (causes AIDS)

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