Taxonomy All living things (organisms) have seven characteristics in common. They all: 1. Reproduce– produce an offspring (organism of its own kind) 2. Feed/need nutrients– make their own food (plants), or consume readymade food as a source of energy 3. Respire– release energy from food with the aid/use of oxygen 4. Grow– increase in size…
Tag: Introduction and Classification
Introduction to Biology
Introduction The CSEC Biology syllabus is geared towards developing: 1. Knowledge and comprehension of biological facts, ideas and opinions 2. Appropriate use of knowledge – application, analysis and interpretation, synthesis and evaluation 3. Experimental skills such as manipulation, measurement, observation, recording, reporting, presentation and planning, and designing of experiments. Biology, bio (life) and logy (study),…
Living Organisms and the Environment Terminology
Ecology The study of living organisms in their environment. Ecosystem A community of living organisms sharing an environment. Abiotic Factors Non-living conditions which can influence where plants and animals live. Biotic Factors These are the living parts of the human system–the animals, plants and microorganisms. Niche All the interactions of a species with the other…
Taxonomy: Life’s Filing System
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Characteristics of Living Organisms: Growth and Irritability
Despite the fact that these two characteristics are combined in one post they are absolutely different from each other and are considered separately below. Growth This is defined as the irreversible increase in the dry mass of an organism. It is brought about by an increase in cell size or number. Growth results in organisms…
Characteristics of Living Organisms: Excretion
In the most simple terms, excretion is the process by which the body eliminates waste. We know based on the previous post on respiration, that carbon dioxide is released from the lungs on expiration. However carbon dioxide is not the only waste product that needs to be eliminated from the body. The unwanted remnants of…
Characteristics of Living Organisms: Respiration
Respiration is the process by which energy is released from glucose for use in the body. This process can be aerobic or anaerobic. Aerobic Respiration This type of respiration requires oxygen. So in essence energy is released from glucose with the use of oxygen. The equation can be summarised below: We obtain glucose from the…
Characteristics of Living Organisms: Nutrition
Nutrition is the process by which we take food into our bodies and use it as raw materials for growth, fuel for energy, and vitamins and minerals that keep your body healthy and functioning properly. It is a delicate balance between what we ingest and our body’s metabolic demands. Nutrients are the molecules in…
The Kingdom Animalia
This kingdom, of which we are apart share many characteristics. The properties which set us apart are: A high degree of structural organisation and complexity; The ability to transduce chemical energy into usable forms; The ability to reproduce at the cellular level as well as at the species level; We are mobile and We continue…