Characteristics of Living Organisms Quiz

What does the diagrams of the plant and human development illustrate?

• Only plants go through stages of growth.

• Only humans go through stages of growth.

• Both plants and humans go through stages of growth and development.

• Neither plants nor humans change over time.

Answer explanation

The diagrams illustrate that both plants and humans undergo distinct stages of growth and development, highlighting the similarities in their life cycles.

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Why is metabolism important for living organisms?

• It allows organisms to move faster

• It enables organisms to carry out life processes by building up and breaking down materials

• It helps organisms to sleep

• It only helps in producing energy for running

Answer explanation

Metabolism is crucial as it enables organisms to perform essential life processes by building up (anabolism) and breaking down (catabolism) materials, ensuring growth, energy production, and maintenance of cellular functions.

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Which process is illustrated in the diagram and how does it relate to metabolism?

• Respiration; it is unrelated to metabolism

• Photosynthesis; it is a metabolic process that builds up materials in plants

• Digestion; it is a metabolic process in animals only

• Fermentation; it is not a metabolic process

Answer explanation

The diagram illustrates photosynthesis, a vital metabolic process in plants that converts light energy into chemical energy, building up materials like glucose, essential for growth and energy.

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Which of the following is an example of an internal stimulus?

• A plant growing towards sunlight

• A loud noise startling a person

• Hunger causing a baby to cry

• Rain falling on a leaf

Answer explanation

Hunger causing a baby to cry is an internal stimulus, as it originates from within the baby, signaling a need for food. The other options are external stimuli, responding to outside factors.

Which of the following best describes what happens during evolution?

• Organisms remain the same over time

• Organisms have the potential to change over long periods

• Organisms instantly adapt to their environment

• Organisms lose their ability to survive

Answer explanation

Evolution involves gradual changes in organisms over long periods, allowing them to adapt to their environments. The correct choice highlights this potential for change, unlike the other options which misrepresent evolutionary processes.

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A scientist discovers a new organism. Which features should they check for to determine if it is living, based on DR. G CHEER?

• Only if it has DNA and cells

• All characteristics: DNA, reproduction, growth and development, cells, homeostasis, evolution, energy, and response to stimuli

• Only if it can reproduce and evolve

• Only if it uses energy

Answer explanation

To determine if the organism is living, the scientist should check all characteristics: DNA, reproduction, growth and development, cells, homeostasis, evolution, energy, and response to stimuli, as these define life.

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How many parents does asexual reproduction involve?

• one 

• two

• three

• four

Answer explanation

Asexual reproduction involves only one parent, as it does not require the genetic contribution of another individual. This is why the correct answer is 'one'.

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The offspring from asexually reproduced organisms are?

• Different than their parents

• Identical to parents

• Like a combination from both parents

• A different species

Answer explanation

The offspring from asexually reproduced organisms are identical to their parents because asexual reproduction involves a single parent, resulting in clones with the same genetic material.

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If two organisms reproduce sexually, then their offspring will exhibit a genetic makeup that is -

• identical to only one parent

• identical to all of its siblings

• a unique combination of traits

• the recessive traits of each parent

Answer explanation

When two organisms reproduce sexually, their offspring inherit a mix of genes from both parents, resulting in a unique combination of traits. This genetic diversity is key to evolution and adaptation.

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Bacteria is an example of a(n) ______ organism.

• unicellular

• multicellular

• nonliving

• mammal

Answer explanation

Bacteria are unicellular organisms, meaning they consist of a single cell. This distinguishes them from multicellular organisms, which are made up of multiple cells. Therefore, the correct answer is 'unicellular'.

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