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Characteristics and Classification of Organisms

The document outlines the characteristics of living organisms, including movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition. It describes classification systems for organisms, including the binomial naming system and the use of DNA sequences for classification. Additionally, it details the main features used to categorize organisms into kingdoms and groups within the animal and plant kingdoms.

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17 views5 pages

Characteristics and Classification of Organisms

The document outlines the characteristics of living organisms, including movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition. It describes classification systems for organisms, including the binomial naming system and the use of DNA sequences for classification. Additionally, it details the main features used to categorize organisms into kingdoms and groups within the animal and plant kingdoms.

Uploaded by

marcelwerion
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

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

Movement is an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change in position or place.

(b) Respiration as the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and

release energy for metabolism

Respiration is 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

Sensitivity is 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

Growth is a permanent increase in size and dry mass.

(e) Reproduction as the processes that make more of the same kind of organism

Reproduction is the process that makes more of the same kind of organism.

(f) Excretion as the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess

of requirements

Excretion is 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

Nutrition is the taking in of materials for energy, growth, and development.


IGCSE Biology - Classification Systems Answers

1. State that organisms can be classified into groups by the features that they share

Organisms can be classified into groups based on the features they share.

2. Describe a species as a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring

A species is a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.

3. Describe the binomial system of naming species as an internationally agreed system in

which the scientific name of an organism is made up of two parts showing the genus and

species

The binomial system is an internationally agreed system of naming species in which the scientific

name has two parts: the genus name and the species name.

4. Construct and use dichotomous keys based on identifiable features

Dichotomous keys are tools used to identify organisms based on a series of questions with two

possible answers, using identifiable features.

5. Explain that classification systems aim to reflect evolutionary relationships

Classification systems aim to group organisms based on shared features to reflect their evolutionary

relationships.

6. Explain that the sequences of bases in DNA are used as a means of classification

The sequence of bases in DNA can be compared between organisms and is used as a means of

classification.

7. Explain that groups of organisms which share a more recent ancestor (are more closely

related) have base sequences in DNA that are more similar than those that share only a

distant ancestor
Organisms that share a more recent common ancestor have more similar DNA base sequences

than those with only a distant common ancestor.


IGCSE Biology - Features of Organisms Answers

1. State the main features used to place animals and plants into the appropriate kingdoms

Animals: multicellular, no cell walls, heterotrophic nutrition.

Plants: multicellular, cell walls with cellulose, autotrophic nutrition.

2. State the main features used to place organisms into groups within the animal kingdom,

limited to:

(a) the main groups of vertebrates: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish

Mammals: hair, mammary glands, endothermic, give birth to live young (mostly).

Birds: feathers, beak, endothermic, lay eggs with hard shells.

Reptiles: dry, scaly skin, ectothermic, lay leathery eggs.

Amphibians: moist skin, ectothermic, lay eggs in water, undergo metamorphosis.

Fish: scales, gills, fins, ectothermic.

(b) the main groups of arthropods: myriapods, insects, arachnids, crustaceans

Myriapods: many body segments, many legs, antennae.

Insects: 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), 6 legs, 1 pair of antennae, usually wings.

Arachnids: 2 body parts (cephalothorax, abdomen), 8 legs, no antennae.

Crustaceans: hard exoskeleton, more than 4 pairs of legs, 2 pairs of antennae.

3. Classify organisms using the features identified in 1.3.1 and 1.3.2

Use the stated features to assign organisms to kingdoms, vertebrate or arthropod groups.

4. State the main features used to place all organisms into one of the five kingdoms: animal,

plant, fungus, prokaryote, protoctist

Animals: multicellular, no cell walls, heterotrophic.

Plants: multicellular, cell walls with cellulose, autotrophic.

Fungi: multicellular (except yeast), cell walls with chitin, saprotrophic.


Prokaryotes: unicellular, no nucleus.

Protoctists: mostly unicellular, nucleus present.

5. State the main features used to place organisms into groups within the plant kingdom,

limited to ferns and flowering plants (dicotyledons and monocotyledons)

Ferns: have roots, stems, leaves, reproduce by spores.

Flowering plants: have roots, stems, leaves, reproduce by seeds.

Dicotyledons: two seed leaves, net-like veins.

Monocotyledons: one seed leaf, parallel veins.

6. Classify organisms using the features identified in 1.3.4 and 1.3.5

Use the stated features to assign organisms to kingdoms and to groups within plants.

7. State the features of viruses, limited to a protein coat and genetic material

Viruses have a protein coat and contain genetic material (DNA or RNA).

Common questions

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The five kingdom classification system categorizes organisms based on structural and functional features: animals are multicellular, without cell walls, and heterotrophic; plants are multicellular, with cellulose cell walls, and autotrophic; fungi have chitin in their cell walls and are mainly saprotrophic; prokaryotes are unicellular without a nucleus; protoctists are mostly unicellular with a nucleus present. This system helps to organize the diversity of life and supports understanding of evolutionary relationships .

Reproduction is crucial for species continuation as it enables the generation of new individuals, ensuring the survival and proliferation of a species over time. Unlike other characteristics such as growth or movement, reproduction directly contributes to the perpetuation of genetic material and the adaptation of species through subsequent generations .

Within the plant kingdom, ferns and flowering plants are classified based on distinct features. Ferns are characterized by their roots, stems, and leaves, and they reproduce by spores. In contrast, flowering plants reproduce by seeds and are further divided into dicotyledons, which have two seed leaves and net-like veins, and monocotyledons, which have one seed leaf and parallel veins .

Dichotomous keys assist in identifying organisms by providing a structured sequence of questions based on observable features, leading to either of two possible answers. This method allows for the systematic narrowing down of possibilities to accurately identify an organism. The keys rely on clear distinctions and variations in physical traits, ensuring efficient and reliable identification .

The binomial system provides a standardized method of naming species, consisting of a genus and species name. This method not only ensures uniformity and clarity in species identification worldwide but also reflects evolutionary relationships by grouping organisms that share common features and ancestry. The system highlights genetic similarities between closely related organisms and reveals their evolutionary lineage .

Excretion ensures that waste products of metabolism, such as carbon dioxide and urea, along with substances in excess, are efficiently removed from an organism, maintaining internal balance or homeostasis. This process is vital for preventing toxic accumulation and ensuring that physiological processes can proceed optimally without interference from metabolic by-products .

Viruses are characterized by a protein coat and genetic material, either DNA or RNA, which makes them distinct from traditional classifications within the five kingdoms as they do not exhibit cellular structure or metabolism on their own. Unlike organisms in the kingdoms, viruses require a host cell to replicate, demonstrating a unique dependency that separates them from living organisms that can independently perform life processes such as metabolism and growth .

Movement is an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change in position or place, which is essential for various biological functions. Respiration involves chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism, critical for maintaining life processes. Sensitivity is the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment, allowing organisms to adapt and survive in changing conditions .

Vertebrates are classified based on features such as mammals having hair and mammary glands; birds having feathers and beaks; reptiles possessing dry, scaly skin; amphibians having moist skin and undergoing metamorphosis; fish possessing scales and gills. Arthropods are classified into myriapods with many body segments, insects with three body parts and six legs, arachnids with two body parts and eight legs, and crustaceans with a hard exoskeleton and more than four pairs of legs .

DNA base sequence similarity is crucial for understanding evolutionary relationships because organisms sharing a more recent common ancestor possess more similar DNA sequences compared to those with a distant common ancestor. This allows scientists to classify organisms based on genetic data, providing insights into their evolutionary paths and relatedness .

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