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Worksheet 1: Characteristics of Living Things and Life Functions

Total questions: 138

Worksheet time: 2hrs 38mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Fill in each blank with the most appropriate term selected from the list below. 1. ____________ is the process by which living things make useable energy from food.

a)

Cell respiration

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

Fermentation

d)

Transpiration

2.

Fill in each blank with the most appropriate term selected from the list below. 2. ____________ is the process by which living things eliminate metabolic wastes.

a)

Excretion

b)

Respiration

c)

Photosynthesis

d)

Transpiration

3.

3. ____________ is the state of internal stability maintained by all living things.

a)

Homeostasis

b)

Metabolism

c)

Photosynthesis

d)

Osmosis

4.

Fill in each blank with the most appropriate term selected from the list below. 4. ____________ is the process by which living things combine simpler substances to make a more complex substance.

a)

Synthesis

b)

Digestion

c)

Respiration

d)

Excretion

5.

5. ____________ is the basic units of structure and function in living things.

a)

Cell

b)

Atom

c)

Molecule

d)

Tissue

6.

6. ____________ is the process by which living things make more of their own species and pass on hereditary information.

a)

Reproduction

b)

Respiration

c)

Photosynthesis

d)

Digestion

7.

Fill in each blank with the most appropriate term selected from the list below.
Cell, Cell respiration, Excretion, Growth, Homeostasis, Metabolism, Nutrition, Reproduction, Synthesis, Transport

7. ____________ is the process by which living things move materials.

a)

Transport

b)

Excretion

c)

Synthesis

d)

Nutrition

8.

Fill in each blank with the most appropriate term selected from the list below. 8. ____________ is the sum of all chemical reactions that occur in living organisms.

a)

Metabolism

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

Diffusion

d)

Osmosis

9.

9. ____________ is the process by which living things increase their size.

a)

Growth

b)

Respiration

c)

Reproduction

d)

Digestion

10.

Fill in each blank with the most appropriate term selected from the list below.
Cell, Cell respiration, Excretion, Growth, Homeostasis, Metabolism, Nutrition, Reproduction, Synthesis, Transport

10. ____________ is the process by which living things obtain food.

a)

Nutrition

b)

Excretion

c)

Transport

d)

Synthesis

11.

Which of the following lists four characteristics of all living things?

a)

Growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, metabolism

b)

Movement, color, size, shape

c)

Breathing, eating, sleeping, thinking

d)

Flying, swimming, running, jumping

12.

Which of the following lists three reasons why a virus is considered a nonliving thing?

a)

It cannot reproduce on its own, does not grow, and does not carry out metabolism.

b)

It can move, it has a nucleus, and it can make its own food.

c)

It breathes oxygen, it has organs, and it can reproduce sexually.

d)

It is made of cells, it can grow, and it can respond to stimuli.

13.

What is metabolism?

a)

All chemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life

b)

The process of breaking down only carbohydrates in the body

c)

The movement of muscles during exercise

d)

The absorption of water in the intestines

14.

What is respiration? ____________

a)

The process of breaking down food molecules to release energy

b)

The process of absorbing sunlight for growth

c)

The process of excreting waste from the body

d)

The process of circulating blood throughout the body

15.

What energy molecule is made in cellular respiration?

a)

ATP

b)

DNA

c)

Glucose

d)

Cholesterol

16.

What is synthesis?

a)

Building complex molecules from simpler ones

b)

Breaking down molecules into simpler ones

c)

Transferring energy between cells

d)

Changing the state of matter

17.

Name two molecules that organisms synthesize.

a)

Proteins and DNA

b)

Water and Oxygen

c)

Carbon dioxide and Salt

d)

Glucose and Sand

18.

What is transport? ____________

a)

Movement of materials in/out of or within a cell or organism

b)

Process of photosynthesis in plants

c)

Production of energy in mitochondria

d)

Synthesis of proteins in ribosomes

19.

Briefly describe material transport in: Amoeba: ____________ Elephants: ____________

a)

Amoeba: Diffusion through the cell membrane. Elephants: Circulatory system moves blood and nutrients.

b)

Amoeba: Uses lungs for breathing. Elephants: Absorbs food through skin.

c)

Amoeba: Has a heart to pump blood. Elephants: Uses diffusion through the cell membrane.

d)

Amoeba: Circulatory system moves blood. Elephants: Diffusion through the cell membrane.

20.

What is reproduction?

a)

Process of producing new individuals of the same species

b)

Process of breaking down food to release energy

c)

Process of removing waste products from the body

d)

Process of converting sunlight into food

21.

What is absorption?

a)

Taking in materials or nutrients into cells or tissues

b)

Breaking down food into simpler substances

c)

Removing waste products from the body

d)

Transporting oxygen in the blood

22.

What is nutrition? ____________

a)

Obtaining and processing food for energy and materials

b)

The process of breathing in oxygen

c)

The movement of muscles in the body

d)

The circulation of blood in the body

23.

What is an autotroph?

a)

An organism that makes its own food using sunlight or chemicals

b)

An organism that only eats other organisms

c)

An organism that cannot survive without oxygen

d)

An organism that lives only in water

24.

List three organisms that are autotrophs.

a)

Plants, Algae, some bacteria

b)

Dogs, Cats, Humans

c)

Mushrooms, Yeast, Molds

d)

Lions, Tigers, Bears

25.

What is a heterotroph?

a)

An organism that obtains food from other living things

b)

An organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis

c)

A non-living thing that consumes energy

d)

A plant that makes its own food using sunlight

26.

List three organisms that are heterotrophs.

a)

humans, dogs, fungi

b)

grass, oak tree, algae

c)

moss, pine tree, sunflower

d)

cactus, fern, bamboo

27.

What is growth? ____________

a)

Increase in cell size or number in an organism

b)

Decrease in cell size or number in an organism

c)

No change in cell size or number in an organism

d)

Loss of energy in an organism

28.

What is excretion?

a)

Removal of metabolic wastes produced by cells

b)

Process of photosynthesis in plants

c)

Absorption of nutrients from food

d)

Production of energy in mitochondria

29.

Briefly describe excretion in: Amoeba: ____________ Elephants: ____________

a)

Amoeba: Diffusion through the cell membrane. Elephants: Kidneys remove waste through urine.

b)

Amoeba: Lungs expel carbon dioxide. Elephants: Gills remove waste.

c)

Amoeba: Kidneys filter blood. Elephants: Skin secretes urea.

d)

Amoeba: Stomach digests waste. Elephants: Bladder produces bile.

30.

What is regulation? ____________

a)

Control and coordination of life processes

b)

The process of photosynthesis in plants

c)

The breakdown of food into energy

d)

The movement of water through soil

31.

What is homeostasis?

a)

Maintaining a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment.

b)

The process of breaking down food to release energy.

c)

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

d)

The process of converting sunlight into chemical energy.

32.

Look at the diagram. Life process: ________ Purpose: ________

a)

Life process: Growth; Purpose: Increase size or number of cells

b)

Life process: Respiration; Purpose: Exchange of gases

c)

Life process: Reproduction; Purpose: Removal of wastes

d)

Life process: Nutrition; Purpose: Transport of substances

33.

Look at the diagram. Life process: ________ Purpose: ________

a)

Life process: Regulation/homeostasis; Purpose: Control and coordinate activities to maintain stable

b)

Life process: Nutrition; Purpose: Break down food for energy

c)

Life process: Respiration; Purpose: Exchange gases with the environment

d)

Life process: Excretion; Purpose: Remove metabolic wastes

34.

Look at the diagram. Life process: ________ Purpose: ________

a)

Life process: Transport; Purpose: Move substance into/out of or around the organism

b)

Life process: Respiration; Purpose: Break down food to release energy

c)

Life process: Reproduction; Purpose: Produce offspring

d)

Life process: Excretion; Purpose: Remove waste products from the body

35.

Look at the diagram. Life process: ________ Purpose: ________

a)

Life process: Nutrition; Purpose: Obtain and process food for energy

b)

Life process: Respiration; Purpose: Exchange of gases

c)

Life process: Excretion; Purpose: Removal of waste products

d)

Life process: Reproduction; Purpose: Production of offspring

36.

Look at the diagram. Life process: ________ Purpose: ________

a)

Life process: Respiration; Purpose: Release energy (ATP) from food

b)

Life process: Photosynthesis; Purpose: Absorb sunlight and produce glucose

c)

Life process: Digestion; Purpose: Break down food into nutrients

d)

Life process: Excretion; Purpose: Remove waste products from the body

37.

Look at the diagram. Life process: ________ Purpose: ________

a)

Life process: Excretion; Purpose: Remove metabolic waste

b)

Life process: Respiration; Purpose: Produce energy

c)

Life process: Nutrition; Purpose: Absorb nutrients

d)

Life process: Reproduction; Purpose: Produce offspring

38.

Look at the diagram. Life process: ________ Purpose: ________

a)

Life process: Synthesis; Purpose: Build complex molecules

b)

Life process: Digestion; Purpose: Break down food

c)

Life process: Respiration; Purpose: Release energy

d)

Life process: Excretion; Purpose: Remove waste

39.

Which life process involves the breakdown of complex food substances into simpler forms that can be absorbed?

a)

Excretion

b)

Synthesis

c)

Regulation

d)

Digestion

40.

Fill in each blank with the most appropriate term selected from the list below.

___________ is the process by which living things respond to changes in their environment to maintain balance.

a)

Reproduction

b)

Absorption

c)

Transport

d)

Regulation

41.

What is the main function of the process of growth in living organisms?

a)

Control of body temperature

b)

Production of energy

c)

Removal of waste products

d)

Increase in size and number of cells

42.

Which life process is responsible for maintaining a stable internal environment in living organisms?

a)

Fermentation

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

Digestion

d)

Homeostasis

43.

Which of the following is an example of an organism carrying out synthesis?

a)

A human exhaling carbon dioxide

b)

A fish swimming in water

c)

A plant making starch from glucose molecules

d)

A bird eating seeds

44.

What is the main function of the circulatory system in multicellular organisms?

a)

Coordinating muscle movement

b)

Transporting nutrients, gases, and wastes throughout the body

c)

Producing energy from sunlight

d)

Breaking down food into simpler substances

45.

One characteristic of all living things is that they (a)  

Choose from the below words
develop organ systems
produce identical offspring
maintain internal stability
synthesize only inorganic m
46.

The ability to grow in size is characteristic of living organisms.  Although an icicle may grow in size over time, it is considered nonliving because there is

a)

an increase in matter, but no increase in the number of icicles

b)

an interaction between the icicle and the environment

c)

no way for the icicle to move away from heat

d)

no metabolic activity present

47.

Which term refers to the maintenance of a stable internal environment in an organism? (a)  

Choose from the below words
respiration
metabolism
regulation
homeostasis
48.
In all of our cells there is DNA. Which characteristic of life does this fact best describe?
a)
living things respond
b)
living things maintain internal balance
c)
living things are based on a universal genetic code
d)
living things grow and develop
49.
The basic unit of life is called a (n)
a)
atom
b)
compound
c)
cell
d)
energy
50.

A plant growing towards a light source is an example of which of the following?

a)

attracting a mate

b)

destroying infectious germs

c)

responding to a stimuli

d)

obtaining moisture from the air

51.

Which of the following is a term used to describe all the chemical reactions that take place in a living thing?

a)
respiration
b)
mutations
c)
homeostasis
d)
metabolism
52.

Infants will often smile when they hear a parent’s voice. In this situation, the parent’s voice is considered

a)

stimulus

b)

response

c)

adaptation

d)

resource

53.
Which of the following characteristics of living things best explains why your legs and arms get longer and stronger as you get older? 
a)
living things respond to their environment
b)
living things maintain internal balance
c)
living things are made of cells
d)
living things grow and develop
54.

Something has to move to be considered living.

a)

True

b)

False

55.

Something has to breathe to be considered living.

a)

True

b)

False

56.

All organisms have to obtain and use ____________ to stay alive.

a)

oxygen

b)

sunlight

c)

energy

d)

carbon dioxide

57.

Something can be both living and nonliving.

a)

True

b)

False

58.

A robot can move, respond to stimuli and, if programmed, can make another robot. They require energy by charging their batteries.

A robot is ....

a)

Living

b)

Non-living

c)

Dead

59.

Which characteristics definitely disqualifies viruses from being considered living organisms?

a)

Reproduce

b)

Made of similar chemicals

c)

Made of cell(s)

d)

Responds to stimuli

60.

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

a)

Have cells

b)

Sense and respond to changes in their environment

c)

Ability to reproduce

d)

Do not use energy to carry out activities of life

e)

Grow and develop

61.

Fill in the blank: Cells are very small membrane covered structures that contain all the materials necessary for life. They are found in all ________.

a)

organisms

b)

rocks

c)

machines

d)

minerals

62.

Fill in the blank: The energy in food is made available to living things by the process of ________.

a)

cellular respiration

b)

photosynthesis

c)

fermentation

d)

transpiration

63.

What are living things that make their own food called?

a)

Heterotrophs

b)

Autotrophs

c)

Carnivores

d)

Omnivores

64.

Fill in the blank: All of the chemical reactions that occur within a living thing are called ________.

a)

metabolism

b)

osmosis

c)

diffusion

d)

respiration

65.

Fill in the blank: The form of energy that all life runs on is ________.

a)

ATP

b)

DNA

c)

Glucose

d)

Chlorophyll

66.

A tadpole becoming a frog is an example of ________.

a)

development

b)

photosynthesis

c)

evaporation

d)

respiration

67.

A bear having thick fur is an example of species ________ over time.

a)

evolving

b)

hibernating

c)

migrating

d)

shrinking

68.

What is homeostasis?

a)

The ability to reproduce

b)

The self-regulating ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment, such as body temperature

c)

The process of cellular respiration

d)

The ability to grow and develop

69.

All living things carry out some form of cellular respiration.

a)

True

b)

False

70.

Fill in the blank: A change in an organism's environment that affects the organism's activities is a ________.

a)

stimulus

b)

organism

c)

reaction

d)

nutrient

71.

DNA contains information on how to make all the ________.

a)

proteins

b)

carbohydrates

c)

lipids

d)

vitamins

72.

Which of the following is NOT one of the four necessities of life?

a)

Air

b)

Water

c)

Food

d)

Electricity

e)

Living space

73.

Plants, algae, and some bacteria need sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce ______ and ______.

a)

sugar and oxygen

b)

protein and nitrogen

c)

fat and water

d)

starch and carbon dioxide

74.

Both plants and animals grow in size.

a)

True

b)

False

75.

Only living things have cells.

a)

True

b)

False

76.

The sunlight changing the direction of the plant is an example of ______ and ______.

a)

sense and respond

b)

eat and grow

c)

move and sleep

d)

breathe and jump

77.

Reproduce means animals have ______.

a)

babies

b)

wings

c)

leaves

d)

fins

78.

Multicellular means made of many cells that are specialized to do ______ jobs.

a)

particular

b)

random

c)

simple

d)

temporary

79.

If you touch something that is hot, you pull back your hand. This is an example of ______ and ______.

a)

sense and respond

b)

eat and drink

c)

run and jump

d)

see and hear

e)

think and sleep

80.

Yeast reproduces asexually.

a)

True

b)

False

81.

What are the products when yeast reacts with sugar?

a)

Carbon dioxide, ethyl alcohol, and ATP

b)

Oxygen, water, and glucose

c)

Lactic acid, water, and ATP

d)

Carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and glucose

82.

What is the process called where cells use oxygen to release energy from food?

a)

Cellular respiration

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

Fermentation

d)

Transpiration

83.

A worm is cut in half, each half develops into a whole worm. This is an example of ______ reproduction.

a)

asexual

b)

sexual

c)

vegetative

d)

spore

84.

If something is living it must have all characteristics of life.

a)

True

b)

False

85.

Match the following

a)

Stimulus

1.

any change internal or external

b)

Heredity

2.

passing of traits: parents to offspring

c)

Metabolism

3.

chemical processes in a cell

d)

Homeostasis

4.

maintain stable environment

e)

Cell

5.

has necessary materials for life

86.

Match the following

a)

sexual

1.

two parents produce offspring

b)

producer

2.

uses sunlight, water, and CO2 for energ

c)

asexual

3.

single parent produces offspring

d)

consumer

4.

organism that eats others for energy

e)

decomposer

5.

gets energy by breaking down remains

87.

Made of only one cell

(a)  

88.

Made of many cells

(a)  

89.

an action

(a)  

90.

Increase in size

(a)  

91.

changes in form that happen with growth

(a)  

92.

a change

(a)  

93.

When you step out into the cold, your body shivers in order to keep its temperature at 98.6F. Which characteristic of life does this represent?

a)

All living things use energy

b)

All living things contain cells

c)

All living things maintain homeostasis

d)

All living things grow

94.
Rocks are not living because
a)
they never move
b)
they aren't needed for humans
c)
they are not made of cells
d)
they don't break down
95.
The basic unit of structure and function in the human body is the....
a)
organ
b)
organ system
c)
cell
d)
tissue
96.

Which statement describes ALL living things?

a)

They are composed of one or more cells.

b)

They must reproduce sexually.

c)

They have organ systems to carry out the processes of life.

d)

They are capable of making their own food.

97.

A baby song bird hatches from its egg with both parent songbirds watching. Which characteristic of life does this represent?

a)

All living things reproduce

b)

All living things maintain homeostasis

c)

All living things use energy

d)

All living things grow

98.

The following are all characteristics of life EXCEPT:

a)

made of cell(s)

b)

eat food

c)

respond stimuli

d)

reproduce

99.

Which of these is not true about all organisms?

a)

all living things are multicellular

b)

all living things obtain and use energy

c)

all living things reproduce

100.

The following list represents characteristics of a living thing :

a)

made of cells, has lungs, can reproduce

b)

made of cells, grows and develops, uses energy

c)

has similar chemicals, makes noises, made of cells

101.
A _____ is something in the environment that causes an organism to respond.
a)
stimulus
b)
response
c)
cause
d)
effect
102.
When a baby kitten becomes an adult cat, this is an example of...
a)
energy metabolism
b)
growth and development
c)
response to stimuli
d)
having cells
103.

Living things are based on a universal genetic

code. What molecule is responsible for that code?

a)

RNA

b)

Lipid

c)

Protein

d)

DNA

104.

The combination of chemical reactions through

which an organism builds up or breaks down

materials as it carries out its life processes is called ...

a)

absorption

b)

metabolism

c)

digestion

d)

consumption

105.

Maintaining a stable internal

environment is called

a)

homeostasis

b)

equilibrium

c)

balance

d)

evenness

106.
A reaction to a stimulus is a ______________.
a)
hiccup
b)
response
c)
metabolism
d)
homeostasis
107.
Every organism must pass on its ________________, stored in DNA.
a)
metabolism
b)
response
c)
growth
d)
genetic code
108.
It is hot outside. You start sweating. In this case, the hot weather is the...
a)
stimulus
b)
response
c)
cause and effect
d)
responder
109.
Provides usable energy for other life functions
a)
growth
b)
cellular respiration
c)
digestion
d)
excretion
110.
An organism made of one cell is called
a)
unicellular
b)
multicellular
111.

The combination of chemical reactions through

which an organism builds up or breaks down

materials as it carries out its life processes is called ...

a)

absorption

b)

metabolism

c)

digestion

d)

consumption

112.

Maintaining a stable internal

environment is called

a)

homeostasis

b)

equilibrium

c)

balance

d)

evenness

113.

Green plants produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Which characteristic of life does this represent?

a)

All living things use energy

b)

All living things contain cells

c)

All living things maintain homeostasis

d)

All living things grow

114.

Which characteristic of living things is represented in the picture?

a)

Share similar chemicals

b)

Grows and develops

c)

Responds to stimuli

d)

Evolves (as a population)

115.

Which characteristic of living things is represented in the picture?

a)

Respond to stimuli

b)

Grow and develop

c)

Evolution

d)

Made of cells

116.

The substance in plants and animals that act as an energy currency.

a)

DNA

b)

RNA

c)

ADP

d)

ATP

117.

In which mode of nutrtion does an an organism make it's own food?

a)

Saprophytic

b)

Autotropic

c)

Heterotrophic

d)

Parasitic

118.

The combination of chemical reactions through

which an organism builds up or breaks down

materials as it carries out its life processes is called ...

a)

absorption

b)

metabolism

c)

digestion

d)

consumption

119.

True or False: Living things must be multicellular.

a)

True

b)

False

120.

Which organelle contains genetic material?

a)

Endoplasmic Reticulum

b)

Golgi Complex

c)

Nucleolus

d)

Nucleus

121.
What organelle is called the "powerhouse" of a cell?

a)
Endoplasmic Reticulum
b)
Nucleus
c)
Mitochondria
d)
Nucleolus
122.
What is the function of the vacuole?
a)
Sac that stores water, nutrients, and waste products
b)
Sac filled with digestive chemicals
c)
Jelly-like substance within the plasma membrane
d)
stack of membranes that packages chemicals
123.
What is the function of nucleus?
a)
Structure that organizes motion of chromosomes. 
b)
Structure that contains DNA and directs the cell 
c)
Membrane that surrounds and protects the cell 
d)
Stack of membranes that packages chemicals
124.
Where does photosynthesis occur?
a)
mitochondria
b)
stomata
c)
xylem
d)
chloroplast
125.
What can only be found in plant cells?
a)
Cell membrane
b)
Vacuole
c)
Chloroplast
d)
Mitochondrion
126.
The two kinds of cells are Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. How are they different?
a)
Prokaryotes have a nucleus.
b)
Eukaryotes have a nucleus.
c)
Prokaryotes are plant cells.
d)
There is no difference.
127.
What cell part is NOT found in all cells?
a)
Cell Wall
b)
Cell Membrane
c)
Cytoplasm
d)
Genetic Material
128.
This organelle takes food and turns it into ENERGY for plant and animal cells.
a)
Chloroplast
b)
Mitochondria
c)
Lysosome
d)
Ribosome
129.
The site of photosynthesis
a)
ribosome
b)
mitochondria
c)
chloroplast
d)
nucleus
130.
Where are proteins made?
a)
Golgi body
b)
Mitoichondria
c)
Chromosomes
d)
Ribosomes
131.
A rigid layer that lies outside the cell's  membrane is...
a)
Cytoskeleton
b)
Cilia
c)
Cell Wall
d)
Flagella
132.
What is the fluid inside a cell called? 
a)
Endoplasimic Reticulum
b)
Orange Juice
c)
Water
d)
Cytoplasm
133.
This is a double layer of phospholipids that creates a barrier between the cells internal and external environments; it controls what comes in or out of the cell (selective permeable)
a)
Nucleus
b)
Cilia
c)
Cell membrane
d)
Flagella
134.
What organelle helps with cell digestion?
a)
Lysosomes
b)
Ribosomes
c)
Golgi Complex
d)
ER
135.
What is the function of nucleus?
a)
Structure that organizes motion of chromosomes. 
b)
Structure that contains DNA and directs the cell 
c)
Membrane that surrounds and protects the cell 
d)
Stack of membranes that packages chemicals
136.
What is the function of the mitochondria?
a)
Structure that manufactures ribosomes
b)
Structures that converts nutrients to energy
c)
Stack of membranes that packages chemicals
d)
Structure that contains DNA and directs the cell
137.
I am a protein packaging and shipping machine! Who am I?
a)
vacuole
b)
ribosome
c)
endoplasmic reticulum
d)
golgi apparatus
138.

Which of the following shows the levels of organization in order from simple to complex?

a)

1. Cell

2. Tissue

3. Organ

4. Organ System

5. Organism

b)

1. Cell

2. Tissue

3. Organelle

4. Organ

5. Organ System

c)

1. Tissue

2. Organelle

3. Cell

4. Organ

5. Organism

d)

1. Organ

2. Tissue

3. Cell

4. Organism

5. Organ System