Question

Explain the characteristics of living organisms.

Answer 1

The characteristics of living organisms are:

(i) Growth and development- Young organisms (plants and animals) grow and develop into adults.

(ii) Movement- Animals exhibit a wide range of movements.

(iii) Reproduction- The biological process by which new organisms (offsprings) are produced from organisms of the same kind.

(iv) Respiration- Oxygen is used for the oxidation of food and carbon dioxide is produced.

(v) Responsiveness- All living organisms respond to light, heat and the changes around them.

(vi) Excretion- The process by which metabolic wastes and other non-useful, toxic wastes such as faeces are eliminated from an organism is called excretion. Plants also remove their wastes.

(vii) Adaptation- Changes in the structure or behaviour of an organism that allow it to survive in a particular habitat are called adaptations.