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U1 — Characteristics of Life

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Francesco Redi’s experiment with meat, jars, and flies showed that spontaneous generation was

a)

correct.

b)

incorrect.

c)

true.

d)

one of the greatest discoveries in science.

2.

Spontaneous generation is a mistaken idea because living things

a)

do not reproduce.

b)

Maintain homeostasis.

c)

are produced only by living things.

d)

show binomial nomenclature.

3.

What did the experiments of Redi and Pasteur help to show?

a)

That living things do not come from non-living things.

b)

That species gradually change over time.

c)

The chemicals of life could have arisen on early Earth.

d)

That living things can be placed in groups based on their similarities.

4.

The basic building block of all living things is called a(n)

a)

molecule.

b)

element.

c)

compound.

d)

cell.

5.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living things?

a)

reproduction

b)

uses energy

c)

needs to breath air

d)

made of cells

6.

Sexual reproduction usually requires

a)

one parent.

b)

two parents.

c)

unicellular organisms.

d)

homeostasis.

7.

Living things show patterns of inheritance and may change over time in a process called

a)

growth.

b)

exercise.

c)

homeostasis.

d)

evolution.

8.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all living things?

a)

growth

b)

development

c)

death

d)

exercise

9.

All living things

a)

are consumers.

b)

are producers.

c)

use energy.

d)

reproduce asexually.

10.

In asexual reproduction

a)

an organism divides into two parts.

b)

offspring are produced that are identical to the parent generation.

c)

each of the first two choices are true.

d)

none of the choices are correct.

11.

During the growth process, living things become more complex. This is called

a)

development.

b)

death.

c)

life span.

d)

ingestion.

12.

The leaves of a plant placed by a window turn toward the light. The plant’s action is an example of

a)

reproduction.

b)

a response.

c)

development.

d)

a stimulus.

13.

A change in an organism’s surroundings that causes it to react is called

a)

growth.

b)

development.

c)

a stimulus.

d)

a response.

14.

Anything in the environment that causes an organism to respond is called a(n)

a)

stimulus.

b)

response.

c)

reaction.

d)

sense.

15.

Which of the following do all living things need to survive?

a)

water

b)

carbon dioxide

c)

two parents

d)

consumers

16.

The source of energy for most producers is

a)

water.

b)

consumers.

c)

other producers.

d)

the sun.

17.

What are the basic elements that make up most living things?

a)

water, helium, oxygen, air

b)

carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen

c)

water, hydrogen, air, helium

d)

carbon, hydrogen, calcium, oxygen

18.

Why do cells undergo respiration?

a)

to ingest food

b)

so they can evolve

c)

cells need to inhale and exhale

d)

to take in oxygen and produce energy

19.

Homeostasis is about an organism’s ability to

a)

obtain energy.

b)

dissolve chemicals.

c)

compete for living space.

d)

maintain stable internal conditions.

20.

Which of the following is an example of homeostasis?

a)

sweating when you run around the track

b)

ingesting food

c)

squirming in your seat

d)

listening to morning announcements

21.

Choose the choice that is NOT an example of metabolism in living things.

a)

breaking down complex substances to produce food & energy

b)

combining simple substances to make complex ones

c)

all the chemical reactions in an organism

d)

ingestion of food

22.

The gradual change in a species over time is called

a)

homeostasis.

b)

evolution.

c)

death.

d)

digestion.

23.

Choose any choice that demonstrates stimulus-response.

a)

Closing your eyes in bright sunshine.

b)

Pulling your hand away from a hot flame.

c)

Being startled by a loud sound.

d)

Writing your name on your paper.

24.

What 6 letter phrase did we use to help recall the characteristics of life?

a)

MAGPIE

b)

MURGRI

c)

PURPLE

d)

MUGGLE

25.

Which of the following is the clearest example of maintaining homeostasis?

a)

looking through binoculars

b)

sharpening a pencil

c)

being thirsty after a salty meal

d)

doing homework after supper