Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms Flashcards
What are the 7 Characteristics of Life?
Movement, Reproduction, Sensitivity, Growth, Respiration, Excretion, Nutrition
Define Respiration
The process of breaking down glucose and other substances inside an organism’s cells to release energy that they can use
What is the definition of Metabolism?
The chemical reactions that take place in living organisms
Define Sensitivity
The ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment
What is the definition of Growth?
A permanent increase in size and Dry Mass
What is the Dry Mass of an organism?
The mass of an organism after it has died and had all water removed from it
What is the definition of Reproduction?
The process of an organism producing more of the same kind of organism
Define Nutrition
Taking in materials for energy, growth, and development.
Define Excretion
The process of an organism removing waste products and substances in excess from the body
What is the Common Ancestor of an Organism?
A species that lived in the past, from which several species alive today emerged.
What is the most known example of a Common Ancestor?
All Mammals share a common ancestor
What does fertile / infertile mean?
Being able to reproduce / Not being able to reproduce
Define Species
A group of organisms that can produce fertile offspring
Define Genus
A group of several species that share similar features and a common ancestor.
What is the purpose of the dichotomous key
To identify an organism by working through pairs of statements that lead you to the name
what is a kingdom in animal biology?
One of the major groups into which all animals are classified
What is an organic substance?
A substance which contains carbon in its molecules and is made by living things
What is chlorophyll?
A green chemical that absorbs energy from light to make glucose
Which two chemicals does chlorophyll combine to make glucose?
Carbon Dioxide and Water
What is a prokaryote?
An organism whose cells don’t have a nucleus
What do unicellular / multicellular mean
Organisms made of; one cell / multiple cells
What is a spore and what is it’s purpose
A very small group of cells surrounded by a protective wall, used in reproduction of fungi.
What are fungi?
Organisms whose cells have cell walls but do not perform photosynthesis
What is metamorphosis?
Changing from a larva with one body form to an adult with a different body form
