Characteristics of Living Organisms (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Biology): Revision Note

Characteristics of Living Organisms

• Movement: an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place

• Respiration: the chemical reactions that break down nutrient molecules in living cells to release energy for metabolism

• Sensitivity: the ability to detect or sense stimuli in the internal or external environment and to make appropriate responses

• Growth: a permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell number or cell size or both

• Reproduction: the processes that make more of the same kind of organism

• Excretion: the removal from organisms of toxic materials, the waste products of metabolism (chemical reactions in cells including respiration) and substances in excess of requirements

• Nutrition: the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development; plants require light, carbon dioxide, water and ions; animals need organic compounds, ions and usually need water