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1.1 Characteristics of living organisms

Syllabus
0610–2026–2027
Topic
1.1
Level
—

Learning objectives

1.1.1Characteristics of living organisms• Describe the characteristics of living organisms by describing: (a) movement as an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place (b) respiration as the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism (c) sensitivity as the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment (d) growth as a permanent increase in size and dry mass (e) reproduction as the processes that make more of the same kind of organism (f) excretion as the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements (g) nutrition as the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development

Recognise the seven characteristics of life

Living organisms carry out seven characteristic life processes. The characteristics describe what living systems do; no single visible action is a complete test of life.

Characteristic Syllabus meaning
movement an action by an organism or part of it causing a change of position or place
respiration chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism
sensitivity the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment
growth a permanent increase in size and dry mass
reproduction processes that make more of the same kind of organism
excretion removal of metabolic waste products and substances in excess of requirements
nutrition taking in materials for energy, growth and development

A shoot bending toward light shows sensitivity and movement, while its permanent increase in dry mass shows growth. An Amoeba engulfing a food particle shows nutrition and movement. Germinating seeds release energy by respiration even before green leaves develop.

Respiration is a set of chemical reactions in cells, not breathing. Excretion removes metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide or excess substances; egestion removes undigested food and is not one of the seven characteristics.

Plants carry out all seven characteristics. Plant movement may involve the growth or position of part of the plant rather than movement of the whole organism from place to place.

Do not identify a characteristic from a familiar word alone. Decide what process the evidence actually shows: taking in material is nutrition, releasing cellular energy is respiration, and detecting then responding to a stimulus is sensitivity.