Characteristics Of Living Organisms

In order to identify living organisms, scientists listed 7 characteristics which all living organisms have:

1. Nutrition:

Taking in nutrients which are organic substances and mineral ions, containing raw materials and energy for growth and tissue repair, absorbing and assimilating them.

2. Excretion:

Removal from organisms of toxic materials, the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess.

3. Respiration:

Chemical reactions that break down nutrient molecules in living cells to release energy.

4. Sensitivity:

The ability to detect or sense changes in the environment and to make responses.

5. Reproduction:

Progresses that make more of the same kind of organism.

6. Growth:

The permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in number of cells, cell size, or both.

7. Movement:

An action by an organism or part of an organism that changes position or place.

The seven characteristics could be memorized by the term “Mrs. Gren”:

 

Movement Respiration Sensitivity Growth Reproduction Excretion Nutrition

 

Definitions:

Metabolism:

Chemical reactions taking place in cells.

Stimuli:

Changes in the environment which organisms response to.

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