This worksheet will help you understand the key characteristics that define living organisms. For each characteristic, provide examples from the natural world.
Introduction: All living things share certain fundamental characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things. Understanding these characteristics is crucial to comprehending the diversity and complexity of life on Earth.
1. Organization: Living things exhibit a high degree of organization, from the molecular level to the ecosystem level.
Question: Describe the different levels of organization in a living organism, starting from the smallest unit and moving up to the largest. Provide an example for each level.
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2. Metabolism: Living things obtain and use energy to maintain themselves, grow, and reproduce.
Question: What is the difference between anabolism and catabolism? Provide examples of each process in a plant and an animal.
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3. Growth and Development: Living things increase in size (growth) and change over time (development).
Question: Explain the difference between growth in a plant and growth in an animal. What role do cells play in this process?
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4. Adaptation: Living things possess traits that allow them to survive and reproduce in their environment.
Question: Describe an example of an adaptation in a plant and an animal that helps them survive in a specific environment. Explain how the adaptation contributes to survival.
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5. Response to Stimuli: Living things react to changes in their internal and external environments.
Question: Describe three different stimuli that a plant might respond to and explain how it responds. Do the same for an animal.
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6. Reproduction: Living things produce new organisms of the same type.
Question: Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction. Provide an example of each type of reproduction in plants and animals.
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7. Homeostasis: Living things maintain a relatively stable internal environment.
Question: Explain how humans maintain homeostasis in terms of body temperature. How might this process be disrupted?
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8. Evolution: Living things change over time through the process of evolution.
Question: Explain how natural selection contributes to the process of evolution. Give a specific example of a species that has evolved over time due to environmental pressures.
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Conclusion:
By examining these characteristics, we can better understand the complexity and interconnectedness of life on Earth. Remember that these characteristics are interconnected and work together to maintain the life of an organism. This worksheet is a tool to help you learn and apply this knowledge. Remember to cite your sources if you use any external resources.
