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Questions and Answers
Which characteristic is not shared by all living organisms?
Which characteristic is not shared by all living organisms?
What term describes organisms that can make their own food?
What term describes organisms that can make their own food?
Which of the following processes is involved in the release of energy from food?
Which of the following processes is involved in the release of energy from food?
What type of reproduction requires only one parent organism?
What type of reproduction requires only one parent organism?
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Which characteristic allows organisms to detect changes in their environment?
Which characteristic allows organisms to detect changes in their environment?
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Which group classification is based on observed similarities and differences among organisms?
Which group classification is based on observed similarities and differences among organisms?
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What is the main purpose of excretion in living organisms?
What is the main purpose of excretion in living organisms?
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Which of the following best describes the characteristic of movement in organisms?
Which of the following best describes the characteristic of movement in organisms?
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What aspect does modern taxonomy primarily utilize for classification?
What aspect does modern taxonomy primarily utilize for classification?
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What is the highest order in the taxonomic hierarchy?
What is the highest order in the taxonomic hierarchy?
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In what order do the levels of taxonomic classification progress from broadest to narrowest?
In what order do the levels of taxonomic classification progress from broadest to narrowest?
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What term is used to describe groups formed by organisms based on their similarities and differences?
What term is used to describe groups formed by organisms based on their similarities and differences?
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Which of the following levels of classification directly follows 'Family' in the taxonomic hierarchy?
Which of the following levels of classification directly follows 'Family' in the taxonomic hierarchy?
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What is the significance of the term 'taxis' in taxonomy?
What is the significance of the term 'taxis' in taxonomy?
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Which type of organism contains DNA that lies free in the cytoplasm?
Which type of organism contains DNA that lies free in the cytoplasm?
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What does the term 'species' denote in taxonomic classification?
What does the term 'species' denote in taxonomic classification?
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Study Notes
What is Biology?
- Biology is the study of living organisms.
Characteristics of Living Organisms
- All living organisms share at least seven common characteristics:
- Growth: A permanent increase in size and complexity.
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Respiration: The process of releasing energy from food.
- Aerobic respiration: Requires oxygen and occurs in most cells.
- Anaerobic respiration: Occurs without oxygen in certain cells.
- Irritability (Sensitivity): The ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.
- Movement: A change in position of the whole organism or parts of the organism.
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Nutrition (Feeding): The process of obtaining or making food.
- Heterotrophs: Organisms that consume ready-made food (e.g., animals).
- Autotrophs: Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants).
- Excretion: The removal of waste products from the body.
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Reproduction: The production of new organisms.
- Asexual reproduction: Involves only one parent.
- Sexual reproduction: Requires two parents.
Classification of Organisms
- Classification is the process of grouping organisms based on their similarities and differences.
- Taxonomy is the science of classification which involves arranging organisms into groups based on their shared traits.
- Taxonomy aims to:
- Organize and name organisms for easier study and communication.
- Understand evolutionary relationships between organisms.
- Carolus Linnaeus developed the modern taxonomic system.
The Linnaean Hierarchy
- Linnaeus proposed a hierarchical system of classification, from broadest to most specific:
- Kingdom: The highest level of classification.
- Phylum: Groups of related classes.
- Class: Groups of related orders.
- Order: Groups of related families.
- Family: Groups of related genera.
- Genus: Groups of related species.
- Species: A group of similar organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
The Five Kingdoms
- Modern classification systems recognize five kingdoms:
- Monera: Includes bacteria and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). These are single-celled prokaryotes.
- Protista: Includes single-celled eukaryotic organisms like amoeba, paramecium, and algae.
- Fungi: Includes multicellular organisms with a heterotrophic mode of nutrition, like mushrooms and yeast.
- Plantae: Includes multicellular plants with an autotrophic mode of nutrition.
- Animalia: Includes multicellular animals with a heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
Key Differences
- Prokaryotes: Lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is free in the cytoplasm.
- Eukaryotes: Have a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is enclosed within the nucleus.
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Description
This quiz covers the foundational concepts of biology, focusing on the characteristics that define living organisms. You will explore aspects such as growth, respiration, irritability, movement, nutrition, excretion, and reproduction. Ideal for beginners looking to understand the basics of biological study.
