Characteristics of Life Main Quiz

In Science class, the class is discussing the things that make something alive. The students watch as the instructor places two “worms” on the table---an earthworm and a gummy worm. “Which one is alive?” the instructor asks.

• Which worm will drink water

• which work has a heart, lung and a brain

• which worm is able to move and which worm is not able to move

• Which worm can grow and develop, and reproduce?

Which is NOT a characteristic of living things?

• can grow and reproduce

• eats food to make energy

• composed of one or more cells

• responds to the environment

Four 7th grade science students are presenting evidence for characteristics of life. Which student below presented the best argument for growth and development?

• Student 1 said that all living things grow and develop because all organisms increase in size, the number of cells they have, and they all mature and develop specialized cells.

• Student 2 said that all living things grow and develop because all organisms increase in size, mature, develop specialized cells, but not all organisms increase the number of cells they have.

• Student 3 said that all living things grow and develop but only some of them increase in size and develop specialized cells, and only some increase in the number of cells they have.

• Student 4 said that all living things grow and develop because they all increase in size, mature, develop specialized cells, and all keep decreasing the number of cells they have.

For many items concerning the characteristics of life, a chart like the one below is shown to students on a test. Which column is LEAST helpful in determining if each specimen is alive or not?

• The column "Reproduces" is least helpful because not all organisms reproduce the same way.

• The column "Moves" is least helpful because not all organisms move like we do.

• The column "Uses energy" is least helpful because some organisms do photosynthesis and don't actually consume food by eating.

• The column "Responds to the environment" is least helpful because in a short observation, you may not see any kind of stimulus and response reaction.

Students are in learning lab studying some unidentified specimens that the teacher has given them. The students are asked to determine if the specimens are living or not. The students have each made a list of what to look for in the specimens.

Student A is using his list to help him study a specimen. Student A discovers that his specimen can move and talk. However, his specimen is not made of cells and does not breathe. What conclusion can he make about his specimen?

• The specimen is not a living thing because it is not made of cells.

• The specimen is not a living thing because it does not breathe.

• The specimen is a living thing because it can move.

• The specimen is a living thing because it cannot breathe.

A student is using a microscope to observe samples taken from pond water. She notices something that she thinks may be a living thing. Which argument would BEST support that the unknown sample is a living thing?

• The sample has cells, so it must be alive, because all living things are made up of one or more cells.

• The sample is green, so it must be alive, because plants are green and they are alive.

• The sample was moving, so it must be alive, because all living things respond to their environment.

• The sample was eating, so it must be alive, because only living things can have chemical reactions that require them to take in matter.

Use the table below to answer the question that follows.

Students were asked to observe specimen A and specimen B. After several minutes of observations their teacher asked them to decide if the specimens were living or nonliving. Which conclusion below best supports a claim that the specimen is living or nonliving?

• Specimen A is living because it will move when touched.

• Specimen B is living because it makes noise.

• Specimen A is nonliving because it is found in water.

• Specimen B is living because it gets energy from a battery.

A scientist is observing a figure under the microscope that appears to be alive, however she is not sure. The scientist observes what looks like a cell membrane, but after closer observation notices that the image is not clear. What additional observation could she make to ensure that the specimen that she is observing under the microscope is alive?

• The specimen jumps when it is touched with a probe.

• The specimen is green.

• A wall around the figure to form the basic structure of the object.

• Organelles to ensure that materials are processed in the cell.

When the class is discussing living things, Sam points out that he has a living vacuum cleaner at his house. His dad wakes it up by pushing a button. It changes direction when it senses it is getting near a wall and turns around. It also changes power level when it goes from carpet to hardwood floor, so he is sure it responds to those stimuli. It learns where the stairs and drop-offs are in their house so it doesn’t fall down. The vacuum even goes back to its nest by the wall when it needs to consume more energy.

Do you agree with Sam that his vacuum is alive? If you don't, how will you explain to Sam that his robot vacuum is not alive? Which evidence would you use to make your claim?

• The robot vacuum is not alive because it is not made of cells and cannot reproduce.

• The robot vacuum is alive because it moves and obtains new information.

• The robot vacuum is alive because it responds to stimuli and uses energy.

• The robot vacuum is not alive because it does not grow and develop and does not require oxygen.

Use the passage below to answer the question that follows.

A student went to the park and found a round object laying on the ground. When the student got closer, she noticed the object's body was making slight movements that appeared to be breathing. When she reached out to touch it, and it rolled away from her. She finally caught the object and took it home to observe it more closely. One week later, the student noticed that the organism had increased in size and was able to make sounds.

Which statement provides valid evidence that the object the student found can be considered a living thing?

• The organism is able to make sound and communicate and therefore it is considered a living thing.

• The organism is able to respond to stimulus and therefore would be considered a living thing.

• The organism is able to grow and therefore would be considered a living thing.

• The organism is able to breathe and therefore would be considered a living thing.