Amoeba Sisters: Characteristics of Life

What distinguishes biological growth from a toy increasing in size when placed in water?

• Biological growth involves an increase in mass, while the toy only absorbs water.

• Biological growth is an irreversible process, unlike the toy's expansion.

• Biological growth involves an increase in the number and size of cells, guided by genetic instructions.

• Biological growth requires energy, whereas the toy's expansion is passive.

What is the primary focus of biology?

• The study of Earth's geological formations.

• The study of the physical properties of matter and energy.

• The study of life and living organisms.

• The study of human societies and cultures.

What fundamental component are all living things made of, according to the Modern Cell Theory?

• Organs

• Tissues

• Cells

• Molecules

Which of the following represents the correct order of biological organization from simplest to most complex?

• Organ system, organ, tissue, cell

• Cell, organ, tissue, organ system

• Cell, tissue, organ, organ system

• Tissue, cell, organ system, organ

What is homeostasis in biological terms?

• The process of growth and development in an organism.

• The ability of an organism to move from one place to another.

• Maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes.

• The process of breaking down food for energy.

What is metabolism in living organisms?

• The process of physical movement.

• The sum of all chemical reactions that occur to maintain life.

• The ability to sense and respond to the environment.

• The process of passing genetic traits to offspring.

How do autotrophs obtain energy compared to heterotrophs?

• Autotrophs consume other organisms, while heterotrophs produce their own food.

• Autotrophs capture light energy to make glucose, while heterotrophs eat to obtain glucose.

• Autotrophs only perform cellular respiration, while heterotrophs only perform photosynthesis.

• Autotrophs are always unicellular, while heterotrophs are always multicellular.

What guides the growth and development of living organisms?

• The amount of water they absorb.

• Their external environment only.

• Their genetic material.

• Their ability to respond to stimuli.

Which of the following is an example of an external stimulus a living organism might respond to?

• Feeling hungry

• Maintaining internal body temperature

• Sensing danger

• Digesting food

Why are viruses generally considered non-living by most scientists?

• They are too small to be seen.

• They cannot evolve or reproduce.

• They lack many characteristics of life, such as independent metabolism.

• They only exist in outer space.