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WorksheetsTopic 1: Characteristics of Living Things
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 51mins
Which statement best defines a cell in life science?
The smallest particle of a chemical element.
Any object that responds to a stimulus quickly.
The basic unit of structure in living things.
A group of organs working together in a body.
What is an organism?
A structure made of several cells only
A chemical used for energy release
A single body system only
The term for any living thing
Which example illustrates homeostasis?
Using sunlight to make sugar
Moving away from a loud noise
Eating food to grow in size
Sweating to cool down during exercise
Which list shows characteristics shared by all living things?
Use energy sometimes, reproduce rarely, lack cells
Made of cells, use energy, maintain homeostasis
Contain no chemicals, grow once, move always
Made of organs, never respond, store energy only
A student observes a mold reproducing by budding. What type of reproduction is this?
Fusion of gametes from one parent
Asexual reproduction requiring one parent
Binary fission with two parents
Sexual reproduction requiring two parents
Which situation shows a stimulus leading to a response?
Pupil shrinking when bright light appears
Bones growing during childhood years
Body using food molecules for energy
Cells containing water and proteins
Why do species benefit from sexual reproduction compared to asexual reproduction?
It increases genetic variation among offspring
It guarantees faster growth for each offspring
It prevents organisms from using any energy
It always produces more offspring quickly
Which statement best describes spontaneous generation?
Living things arise from nonliving sources.
Living things evolve over many generations.
Cells come only from preexisting cells.
Microbes require nutrients to grow.
Who conducted experiments that disproved spontaneous generation?
Redi and Pasteur
Hooke and Leeuwenhoek
Watson and Crick
Darwin and Mendel
Which part of the microscope is the top lens you look through?
Diaphragm
Body tube
Nosepiece
Eyepiece
Which part of the microscope supports it and is used for carrying?
Base
Arm
Body tube
Stage
What is the function of the stage on a microscope?
Knob for focusing at low power
Controls the amount of light
Holds the objective lenses
Platform where the slide is placed
Which component holds the slide in place?
Mirror/Light
Coarse adjustment
Diaphragm
Stage clips
Which part controls the amount of light passing through the stage?
Arm
Body tube
Diaphragm
Eyepiece
Which part sends light up through the hole in the stage?
Stage clips
Fine adjustment
Low power objective
Mirror/Light
Which part holds the objective lenses and rotates to change magnification?
Body tube
Base
Nosepiece
Arm
Which lens is typically used with the coarse adjustment knob?
Low power objective
Oil immersion objective
High power objective
Eyepiece lens
Which knob is used for focusing at high power?
Diaphragm control
Fine adjustment
Light intensity
Coarse adjustment
Which part connects the eyepiece to the objective lenses?
Body tube
Arm
Base
Stage
Which statement is part of modern cell theory?
DNA exists only in animal cells.
Cells appear from nonliving matter.
Cells are larger than organelles.
All organisms are made of cells.
Which organelle acts as the cell’s control center by housing DNA?
Mitochondria
Nucleus
Ribosomes
Golgi body
What is the main job of mitochondria in a cell?
Convert food energy to usable energy
Store water and dissolved nutrients
Package proteins for secretion
Break down worn-out cell parts
Which structure regulates the movement of materials into and out of the cell?
Endoplasmic reticulum
Cytoplasm
Lysosome
Cell membrane
Ribosomes are primarily responsible for which function?
Producing proteins
Storing genetic information
Transporting materials
Digesting waste
Which pair correctly matches the organelle and its function?
Golgi body—packages and distributes proteins
Vacuole—converts sugar into ATP
ER—breaks down old cell parts
Lysosome—stores water and minerals
A student observes a rigid outer layer, green structures, and one large vacuole. What type of cell is it most likely?
Fungal spore
Bacterial cell
Animal cell
Plant cell
Which feature is common in animal cells but rare in plant cells?
Large central vacuole
Chloroplasts
Cell wall
Lysosomes
Which statement correctly compares plant and animal cells?
Plant cells have chloroplasts; animal cells do not.
Animal cells have rigid cell walls like plants.
Plant cells lack vacuoles found in animals.
Animals perform photosynthesis in lysosomes.
Diffusion can be described as molecules moving from which condition to which condition?
Inside the cell to outside only
Low energy to high energy
Low concentration to high concentration
High concentration to low concentration
Osmosis is best defined as the diffusion of which substance across a membrane?
Water
Proteins
Ions
Glucose
During osmosis, water moves toward the side with which characteristic?
Equal solute and water levels
Lower solute concentration
Higher water concentration
Lower water concentration
Which process requires energy because materials move against the concentration gradient?
Active transport
Diffusion
Osmosis
Equilibrium
A membrane that allows some substances to pass more easily than others is described as what?
Uniformly porous
Fully permeable
Completely impermeable
Selectively permeable
A cell placed in a solution with a higher solute concentration outside will experience which movement of water?
Water moves randomly without net change
Water stops moving entirely
Water moves into the cell
Water moves out of the cell
Which statement best defines a species in biology?
Organisms that share similar habitats
Organisms that eat the same type of food
Organisms that can mate and produce fertile offspring
Organisms grouped by similar body shapes
What is a genus in the scientific naming system?
A classification based on diet type
A group of closely related species
The second part of a species name
A single individual organism
Two birds share the genus Anas. Which conclusion is most accurate?
They are less related than birds in different genera.
They are more closely related than birds in different genera.
They cannot be in the same family or order.
They must be the exact same species.
Which domain includes organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and protists?
Eukarya
Archaea
Prokarya
Bacteria
Which feature distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?
Ability to photosynthesize
Presence of a cell wall
Smaller overall cell size
DNA contained within a nucleus
A newly discovered microbe lacks a nucleus and has DNA free in the cytoplasm. To which domain does it most likely belong?
Animalia
Eukarya
Bacteria
Protista
Match each domain to the typical cell type it contains.
Eukarya → prokaryotes
Eukarya → lacks genetic material
Archaea → prokaryotes
Bacteria → eukaryotes
A scientist compares Anas americana and Tachycineta americana. Which reasoning explains which pair is more closely related?
Same domain means they are the same.
Same family guarantees identical features.
Same genus name indicates closer relation.
Same species name means closest relation.
Which statement best distinguishes viruses from bacteria?
Viruses have nuclei and make their own food.
Bacteria are parasites that cannot reproduce alone.
Viruses are not cells and need host cells.
Bacteria lack cell walls and are eukaryotes.
What is the primary role of a vaccine?
Feeds immune cells with ready-made antibodies.
Stimulates the body to produce virus-destroying chemicals.
Kills all bacteria directly inside the bloodstream.
Prevents cells from taking in any new nutrients.
A bacteriophage is best described as which of the following?
A virus that infects bacteria
A rod-shaped bacterial cell
A protein that blocks viral entry
A medicine that treats fungal infections
Which feature is characteristic of bacteria but not of viruses?
Unable to make or use food independently
Can only multiply inside a host cell
Prokaryotic cells with a cell wall
Genetic material taking over host functions
Match each bacterial shape with its correct term.
Rod-like — bacilli
Spherical — cocci
Spiral — spirilla
A student observes single-celled organisms without nuclei that can be autotrophs or heterotrophs. What are they most likely to be?
Viruses acting as parasites
Plant cells with large vacuoles
Protists with defined nuclei
Bacteria that are prokaryotes
Why can viruses only reproduce inside living host cells?
They are autotrophs that need sunlight to divide
They are eukaryotes with large nuclei
They have thick cell walls that block nutrients
They lack the cellular machinery to make or use food
Which statement best describes protists as a group?
Prokaryotes living in dry habitats
Eukaryotes, mostly single-celled
Multicellular animals with organs
Bacteria that lack nuclei
Which structure helps a protist move with a whip-like motion?
Cilia for sweeping food
Flagella for tail movement
Pseudopods forming false feet
Stomata for gas exchange
What do pseudopods mainly help protists do?
Trap food by extending cytoplasm
Swim quickly using tails
Exchange gases through pores
Absorb water from soil
Which statement about fungi nutrition is correct?
Heterotrophs absorbing nutrients
Prokaryotes using sunlight energy
Photosynthetic organisms with chloroplasts
Autotrophs making their own food
Which structure in fungi consists of thread-like strands?
Stomata regulating gases
Hyphae forming mycelium
Xylem carrying water
Cilia sweeping particles
Which plant cell feature is highlighted as rigid?
Flexible plasma membrane
Cell wall providing support
Nucleus without envelope
Chloroplast outer membrane
Which plant organ primarily performs photosynthesis?
Roots absorbing soil water
Stems transporting materials
Cuticle preventing water loss
Leaves making food
What is the function of stomata on leaves?
Transport sugars in stems
Allow gas exchange in leaves
Store water inside roots
Absorb nutrients from soil
Which statement correctly pairs vascular tissue with what it transports?
Xylem moves sugars; phloem moves water
Phloem moves water; xylem moves gases
Xylem moves water; phloem moves sugars
Both xylem and phloem move gases
Why do vascular plants typically grow taller than nonvascular plants?
They live only in dry habitats
They lack rigid cell walls
They have xylem and phloem
They perform less photosynthesis
A scientist finds a single-celled eukaryote living in a pond. Which classification fits best?
Plant because it has tissues
Protist living in moist water
Fungus with spore structures
Animal lacking a backbone
Which feature distinguishes nonvascular plants like mosses?
Seeds enclosed in flowers
No vascular tissue, stay small
Large woody stems and roots
Presence of xylem and phloem
If a plant’s phloem is damaged, which process is most directly affected?
Water transport upward
Sugar distribution throughout
Gas exchange in stomata
Waxy cuticle formation
Which statement compares protist movement structures correctly?
Cilia are false feet; flagella trap food
Flagella are hair-like; cilia are tails
Pseudopods extend to trap food
Stomata sweep water across cells
A fungus releases spores into the air. What is the primary purpose of spores?
Water transport in hyphae
Reproduction and dispersal
Photosynthesis in sunlight
Gas exchange through pores
Which statement best describes ectotherms?
Body temperature rises only during physical activity
Body temperature always remains at one fixed level
Body temperature controlled by the surrounding environment
Body temperature controlled internally by metabolism
Which animal body plan shows parts arranged around a central point, like spokes on a wheel?
Segmented symmetry with repeated units
Bilateral symmetry with two mirror halves
Radial symmetry with a central arrangement
Asymmetry with no organized pattern
Which example shows an adaptation?
A random mutation with no survival effect
A trait that makes feeding impossible
A body part or behavior that helps survival
A temporary change during a single day
Which group includes animals with no symmetry and pores for filtering food?
Mollusks with soft muscular foot
Worms with long bodies
Cnidarians with stinging cells
Sponges with asymmetry and pores
Cnidarians like jellyfish have which key features?
Radial symmetry and stinging cells
Exoskeleton and jointed legs
Bilateral symmetry and pores
Asymmetry and tube feet
Worms are best described by which combination?
Shells and soft muscular foot
No bodies and asymmetry
Long bodies and bilateral symmetry
Short bodies and radial symmetry
Which characteristic is typical of mollusks?
Jointed appendages for movement
Soft muscular foot for locomotion
Tube feet for gripping surfaces
Stinging cells for capturing prey
What makes arthropods the largest animal group?
Living only in aquatic habitats
Showing radial symmetry as adults
Having jointed appendages and exoskeleton
Possessing an internal skeleton
Echinoderms such as starfish usually have which features as adults?
Asymmetry and jointed legs
Radial symmetry and spiny skin
Bilateral symmetry and smooth skin
Exoskeleton and tube feet
Which invertebrate uses tube feet for movement and feeding?
Arthropod with jointed legs
Mollusk with a soft foot
Echinoderm like a sea star
Cnidarian such as a jellyfish
Which statement correctly contrasts vertebrates and invertebrates?
Vertebrates are all endotherms; invertebrates ectotherms
Invertebrates have gills; vertebrates have lungs
Vertebrates have backbones; invertebrates do not
Invertebrates are only aquatic; vertebrates only terrestrial
A warm-blooded animal that maintains internal temperature is called what?
Ectotherm controlled by environment
Endotherm controlled internally
Arthropod with exoskeleton
Cnidarian with stinging cells
Which scenario best applies bilateral symmetry?
A starfish with arms around a center
A sponge without any symmetry lines
A fish split into left and right halves
A jellyfish with circular body parts
Which feature most helps a crab as an arthropod?
Exoskeleton protecting soft body
Tube feet for gripping rocks
Stinging cells to capture prey
Pores for filtering tiny food
Which is the best classification for a sea anemone?
Worm with bilateral symmetry
Mollusk with a hard shell
Echinoderm with tube feet
Cnidarian with radial symmetry
Which animal pair both show radial symmetry as adults?
Crab and spider
Earthworm and leech
Snail and octopus
Sea urchin and starfish
Which feature separates mollusks like clams from arthropods like insects?
Tube feet versus stinging cells
Radial symmetry versus asymmetry
Exoskeleton versus pores
Soft foot versus jointed legs
A jellyfish stings prey using specialized cells. This is an example of which concept?
Adaptation aiding survival
Endothermy regulating heat
Exoskeleton for support
Asymmetry in body plan
Which feature best distinguishes fish from other vertebrate classes?
Leathery shells protecting laid eggs
Feathers for insulation and flight
Lungs with diaphragm for ventilation
Gills for extracting dissolved oxygen
Amphibians are ectotherms with a life cycle that typically includes which transition?
Aquatic larvae to terrestrial adults
Marine embryos to desert adults
Terrestrial eggs to aquatic adults
Aerial juveniles to burrowing adults
Which characteristic is typical of reptiles?
Moist skin without protective scales
Thick waterproof skin with scales
Feathers and hollow bones
Fur or hair and milk production
Birds are endotherms. Which adaptation helps reduce body mass for flight?
Leathery eggs resisting water loss
Moist skin assisting gas exchange
External gills increasing oxygen uptake
Hollow bones decreasing skeletal weight
Which statement correctly describes mammals?
Have scales covering the entire body
Rely on gills for breathing underwater
Lay eggs with leathery protective shells
Feed young with milk from mammary glands
Which pair correctly matches ectotherm/endotherm status for the groups listed?
Fish ectotherm; birds endotherm
Fish ectotherm; reptiles endotherm
Fish endotherm; birds ectotherm
Fish endotherm; mammals ectotherm
A scientist finds an animal with moist skin, spends early life in water, and breathes with lungs as an adult. Which class fits best?
Amphibian with dual life stages
Mammal with live birth
Reptile with leathery eggs
Bird with feathered wings
Which adaptation most directly enables fish to live permanently in aquatic environments?
Feathers providing waterproofing
Gills specialized for gas exchange
Hollow bones aiding aerial travel
Fur or hair conserving body heat
Not all birds can fly. Which feature they share still supports temperature regulation?
Leathery eggs preventing water loss
Scales reflecting solar radiation
Moist skin enhancing heat transfer
Feathers acting as insulating structures
Most mammals give live birth, but some, like the platypus, do what instead?
Develop external gills for embryos
Brood eggs with feathered nests
Lay eggs despite being mammals
Use leathery shells like reptiles
What is the main purpose of a dichotomous key when studying organisms?
To measure organism growth over time
To identify organisms using paired choices
To classify habitats by climate zones
To compare food webs in ecosystems
Which step comes first when using a dichotomous key to identify an unknown specimen?
Follow the direction to another number
Start at step 1 and read choices
Repeat steps until you find a name
Choose the option that matches best
A student sees an organism with feathers. Using tips for dichotomous keys, what should the student do next to avoid mistakes?
Start over each time an option appears
Ignore small details to save time
Skip visible features and guess quickly
Count body parts carefully before deciding
You are given two choices at step 3: (a) has thick waterproof skin, (b) has feathers. Which classification do you reach if you select option b?
Mammals that feed young with milk
Reptiles with thick waterproof skin
Birds that are endotherms
Amphibians that lay soft eggs
You plan for an upcoming life science exam. Which study strategy best supports long‑term understanding of structures and groups?
Only read diagrams once before class
Avoid practicing with dichotomous keys
Create flashcards for kingdoms and groups
Memorize names without any functions
What is alien (6)?
Alienus stripicus
Alienus hairicus
Alienus fuzzicus
Alienus tritoothicus
