Characteristics of Life Flashcards
(30 cards)
All living things are?
Organized
What is the simplest level at which life may exist?
Cell
Are all cells alike?
No
All cells perform various jobs for?
Functions
What surrounds a cell and separates it from its environment?
Plasma membrane
What is the difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms?
Unicellular = 1 Multicellular = 2
Give an example of a multicellular organism and an example of a unicellular organism.
Multicellular: dogs, trees
Unicellular: amoebas, paramecia
Multicellular organisms can be organized into what other levels?
Tissue, organs, and systems.
Define reproduction.
The production of off spring.
What would happen if all individuals in a species were not able to have babies?
Would become extinct.
Reproduction is NOT essential for the survival of an individual ____ but is essential for the survival of ____.
Organism ; organism species
What is meant by extinction?
End to that species’ existence on earth.
Name and define the two basic kinds of reproduction.
Sexual- requires that two cells (sperm and egg) unite to produce the first cell of the new organism.
Asexual- a single organism can reproduce without the aid of another.
How do all organisms begin life?
As a single cell.
What is the difference between growth and development?
Growth- results in an increase in the amount of living material and formation of new structures.
Development- all of the changes that take place during the life of an organism.
Do unicellular organisms grow? Do unicellular organisms develop?
Yes
Do multicellular organisms grow? Do multicellular organisms develop?
Yes
How is the growth of a living thing different from the growth of a nonliving thing?
Does not contain cells.
Define energy.
The ability to make things change.
Why is energy important to a living organism?
It provides organisms with the ability to maintain balance, grow, reproduce, and carry out other life functions.
What is the difference between an autotroph and a heterotroph?
Autotroph- organisms that get energy from the food they eat.
Heterotroph- organisms that use to make their own food using energy from the sun.
What are some environmental factors (stimuli) that organisms respond to?
Air, water, weather and temperature.
Organisms must also respond to ____ factors in order to stay healthy and survive.
Internal
What are two internal factors that organisms respond to?
Nutrients and body temperature.
