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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of adaptations in living organisms?
What is the primary purpose of adaptations in living organisms?
Which level of biological organization is directly composed of groups of tissues?
Which level of biological organization is directly composed of groups of tissues?
What defines an ecosystem?
What defines an ecosystem?
Which term describes a collection of individuals of the same species living in a given area?
Which term describes a collection of individuals of the same species living in a given area?
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Which level of biological organization includes both living organisms and their nonliving surroundings?
Which level of biological organization includes both living organisms and their nonliving surroundings?
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What is the basic unit of life in all living organisms?
What is the basic unit of life in all living organisms?
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Which characteristic distinguishes unicellular organisms from multicellular organisms?
Which characteristic distinguishes unicellular organisms from multicellular organisms?
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How do plants exhibit movement compared to animals?
How do plants exhibit movement compared to animals?
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What does homeostasis refer to in living organisms?
What does homeostasis refer to in living organisms?
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What is an example of asexual reproduction?
What is an example of asexual reproduction?
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What process combines anabolism and catabolism in the metabolism of living organisms?
What process combines anabolism and catabolism in the metabolism of living organisms?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?
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What is a primary means by which multicellular organisms grow?
What is a primary means by which multicellular organisms grow?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Living Things
- Living organisms exhibit eight fundamental characteristics:
- Cellular organization: Life's basic unit is the cell. Organisms are categorized as unicellular (one cell, e.g., bacteria) or multicellular (many cells, e.g., humans).
- Movement: All organisms exhibit some form of movement, though the type and visibility differ. Animals move noticeably, while plant growth is a slower, less observable kind of movement.
- Growth and Development: Organisms increase in size (multicellular by cell division, unicellular by cell enlargement).
- Response to Stimuli: Living things react to changes in their environment (light, heat, chemicals, etc.) using specialized receptors.
- Homeostasis: Maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes (e.g., body temperature).
- Reproduction: Creating new organisms of the same type, either sexually (two parents) or asexually (one parent).
- Metabolism: Obtaining and using energy for processes like growth, development, and reproduction. Metabolism combines anabolism (building complex molecules) and catabolism (breaking down complex molecules for energy).
- Adaptation: Adjusting to their environment to enhance survival.
Levels of Biological Organization
- Life exhibits increasing levels of complexity:
- Cell: The smallest functional unit of life.
- Tissue: Similar cells working together.
- Organ: Tissues working together.
- Organ System: Organs working together.
- Organism: Organ systems functioning together.
- Population: The same species living in a defined area.
- Community: Different populations interacting.
- Ecosystem: Organisms and their environment interacting.
- Biosphere: All ecosystems on Earth.
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Description
Explore the eight fundamental characteristics that define living organisms. This quiz covers cellular organization, movement, growth and development, response to stimuli, homeostasis, reproduction, and metabolism. Test your knowledge about these essential traits that distinguish life forms.
