This worksheet will help you understand the key characteristics that define living organisms. For each characteristic, provide examples from the living world.
Instructions: Read each characteristic below. Then, provide an example of a living thing that demonstrates that characteristic, and briefly explain how it does so.
| Characteristic | Example Organism | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Organization: Living things are highly organized, from atoms to cells to tissues to organs to organ systems to the organism itself. | ||
| Metabolism: Living things use energy to maintain themselves, grow, and reproduce. This involves chemical reactions. | ||
| Growth: Living things increase in size or cell number over time. | ||
| Adaptation: Living things possess traits that allow them to survive and reproduce in their environment. | ||
| Response to Stimuli: Living things react to changes in their internal or external environment. | ||
| Reproduction: Living things produce new organisms, passing on their genetic information. | ||
| Homeostasis: Living things maintain a relatively stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment. |
Further Exploration:
1. What is the difference between growth in a living organism and the increase in size of a non-living object like a crystal?
2. Consider a virus. Does it fit all the characteristics of living things? Explain your answer.
3. Some organisms, like some plants, can reproduce asexually. How does this differ from sexual reproduction?
4. Provide an example of an organism adapting to a specific environmental challenge (e.g., drought, extreme temperature).
5. Explain how homeostasis is important for survival. Give a specific example.
This worksheet aims to enhance your understanding of the fundamental principles of biology. By completing this exercise, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable complexity and diversity of life on Earth. Remember to think critically and provide thorough explanations.
