CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS

Life defined through observations of activities carried out by living things;

 

Nutrition

Nutrition is the processes by which food/nutrients are acquired/made and utilized by living organisms.

Green plants and certain bacteria make their own food.

All other organisms feed on complex organic materials.

 

Respiration

This is the breakdown of food to provide energy.

The energy released is used for various activities in the organism.

• Gaseous Exchange – Process throw which respiratory gases (CO2&O2) are taken in and out through a respiratory surface

 

Excretion

• Excretion is the removal of metabolic wastes from the body
• Substances like urea, carbon dioxide (Carbon (IV) oxide)
• These substances are poisonous if allowed to accumulate in the body

 

Growth and Development

• Growth means irreversible change in size
• All organisms increase in size that is, they grow
• Development is irreversible change in complexity
• As they do so, they also become differentiated in form
• Reproduction-Reproduction is the formation of new individuals of a species to ensure continued existence of a species and growth of its population

 

Irritability

• The ability of organisms to detect and respond to changes in the environment

This is of great survival value to the organism

 

Movement

• Is the progressive change in position from one place to another
• Some organisms are sessile (ie fixed to the substratum)
• The majority of plants move only certain parts

Collection and Observation of Organisms Biology as a practical subject is learnt through humane handling of organisms

 

Also See;

DETERMINATION OF THE GENOTYPE OF A DOMINANT PHENOTYPE

VARIATION IN POPULATION

CLASSIFICATION OF ANIMALS AND ORGANIZATION OF LIFE

CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING ORGANISMS

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS AND ANIMALS