Characteristics and classification (1) of

living organisms

• Core
1 Draw lines to match each characteristic of living organisms to
its definition.

Characteristic
Definition

nutrition
the breakdown of food in cells for energy, growth and
development

respiratio
n
a permanent increase in size

excretion
making more of the same kind of
organism

sensitivity
taking in materials for energy, growth and development

reproduction
an action by an organism causing a change of position or
place

growth
the ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment
 movement
the removal from an organism of toxic materials and substances
in
excess of requirements

[7
]

2 Mnemonics are used to remember lists of terms, e.g. Richard of York gave battle in
vain' is used
for the order of colours of the rainbow. Make your own mnemonic sentence of
seven words to remember the characteristics of life.

...
...
...
[3]
3 Complete the crossword puzzle about the characteristics of life, using the clues to help
you.

Across
Down

5 removal by organisms of toxic

materials (9)
1 the ability to detect and respond to
changes in
the environment
(11)
6 taking in materials for growth, energy
and
development
(9)
2 making more of the same kind of
organism (12)

3
 an action causing a change of position
or place (8)
7 the breakdown of food in cells to
release
energy
(11)
4 a permanent increase in size
(6)

Cambridge IGCSE Biology Workbook 2nd

Edition
Photocopying
prohibited