What living things do Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science revision
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In plain words
A car moves and uses fuel, but it isn't alive. Living things are different because they all do the same seven things: they move, respire, sense, grow, reproduce, get rid of waste and feed. If something does all seven, it's alive.
Three things to know
- The seven characteristics: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition (MRS GREN).
- Respiration is the chemical reactions in cells that release energy from food. It is not the same as breathing.
- Excretion is getting rid of waste made by the body's own chemical reactions, such as carbon dioxide and urea. Getting rid of undigested food is egestion, which is something else.
Tips and tricks
- MRS GREN gives you all seven. For "describe" questions, say what each one means, not just its name.
- Respiration releases energy. Never write that it "makes" or "produces" energy.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
What living things do: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
Which process releases energy from food in cells?
Respiration is a chemical reaction in every living cell.
What is excretion?
Undigested food was never part of the body's chemistry, so passing it out is egestion.
A plant bends towards the light. Which characteristic is this?
It has detected a change around it and responded.
Which is a characteristic of all living things?
Only some organisms have hearts or bones or can photosynthesise; all can reproduce.
What does the N in MRS GREN stand for?
Nutrition is taking in the materials needed for energy and growth.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 7 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
What living things do
Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science 0653 · 7 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
State three characteristics of living organisms, other than movement.[3]
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Any three: respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, nutrition.
State what is meant by excretion.[2]
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The removal from the body of waste products of metabolism (the chemical reactions in cells), and of substances in excess.
A student says that a burning candle is alive because it uses oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. Give two reasons why the candle is not alive.[2]
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Any two: it does not grow by making new cells, reproduce, respond to stimuli (sensitivity), feed, or excrete waste from its own cells.
Answers: What living things do
- 1. Any three: respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, nutrition.
- 2. The removal from the body of waste products of metabolism (the chemical reactions in cells), and of substances in excess.
- 3. Any two: it does not grow by making new cells, reproduce, respond to stimuli (sensitivity), feed, or excrete waste from its own cells.