IGCSEBiologyCambridge (CIE)Revision Notes1. Characteristics & Classification of Living OrganismsCharacteristics, Classification & Features of OrganismsCharacteristics of Living Organisms

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

Exam code: 0610 & 0970

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn

Updated on

Cambridge (CIE) BiologyCambridge (CIE) Combined Science: Biology

Characteristics of living organisms

  • All living organisms (animal, plant, fungus, prokaryote and protoctist) demonstrate the characteristics:

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

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

    • excretion: the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements

    • nutrition: the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development

Examiner Tips and Tricks

You can use this mnemonic to help you remember the 7 characteristics that all living organisms demonstrate:

MRS GREN

  • Movement

  • Respiration

  • Sensitivity

  • Growth

  • Reproduction

  • Excretion

  • Nutrition

Some common misconceptions to watch out for:

  • Bacteria (a type of prokaryote) also show all of the characteristics listed above

  • Confusing the living characteristic excretion with egstion, which is the removal of undigested food from the body as faeces

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Author
Reviewer
Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Content Creator

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Jenna Quinn

Reviewer: Jenna Quinn

Expertise: Content Creator

Jenna studied at Cardiff University before training to become a science teacher at the University of Bath specialising in Biology (although she loves teaching all three sciences at GCSE level!). Teaching is her passion, and with 10 years experience teaching across a wide range of specifications – from GCSE and A Level Biology in the UK to IGCSE and IB Biology internationally – she knows what is required to pass those Biology exams.