GCSE Biology: Characteristics of Life (MRS GREN) Worksheet Pack ... - Free Printable

Problem Analysis:

The task involves matching examples of living organisms' behaviors with the correct characteristic of life. Additionally, there are extension questions that require explanations and examples related to biological concepts.

Step-by-Step Solution:

#### Matching Examples to Characteristics:

1. Example: A yeast cell budding to form a new yeast cell
- Characteristic: Reproduction
- Yeast cells reproduce by budding, which is a form of asexual reproduction where a new cell grows from the parent cell.

2. Example: Pupils constricting in bright light
- Characteristic: Sensitivity
- Pupil constriction in response to bright light is an example of how organisms respond to stimuli in their environment, demonstrating sensitivity.

3. Example: A fertilized egg cell dividing to form an embryo
- Characteristic: Growth
- The division of a fertilized egg cell into multiple cells is part of the growth process, leading to the development of an embryo.

4. Example: Exhaling carbon dioxide from the lungs
- Characteristic: Respiration
- Exhaling carbon dioxide is part of the respiratory process, where organisms exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) to maintain cellular functions.

5. Example: A plant carrying out photosynthesis
- Characteristic: Nutrition
- Photosynthesis is the process by which plants produce their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, which is essential for nutrition.

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#### Extension Questions:

1. Explain why the egestion of faeces is not classed as excretion.
- Answer:
- Egestion is the removal of undigested food material from the body as waste (e.g., feces). This process does not involve the elimination of metabolic waste products.
- Excretion, on the other hand, is the removal of metabolic waste products (e.g., carbon dioxide, urea, sweat) that are produced during cellular processes. These waste products are toxic if accumulated in the body.
- Therefore, egestion is not classified as excretion because it deals with the removal of indigestible material rather than metabolic waste.

2. Give an example of how plants may show sensitivity.
- Answer:
- Plants show sensitivity through various mechanisms, such as:
- Tropisms: Movements in response to external stimuli. For example, phototropism (growth towards light) or gravitropism (growth in response to gravity).
- Nastic movements: Non-directional movements in response to stimuli, such as the closing of a Venus flytrap when triggered by prey.

3. What three key components does a plant need for nutrition?
- Answer:
- Plants require the following three key components for nutrition:
1. Water (H₂O): Essential for photosynthesis and maintaining turgor pressure in cells.
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Used as a raw material in photosynthesis to produce glucose.
3. Minerals/Nutrients: Such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which are absorbed from the soil and are crucial for various biochemical processes.

4. Give an example of how humans show sensitivity by responding to a drop in air temperature.
- Answer:
- Humans show sensitivity to changes in air temperature through various physiological responses, such as:
- Shivering: When the body temperature drops, muscles contract rapidly to generate heat and maintain core body temperature.
- Vasoconstriction: Blood vessels near the skin constrict to reduce blood flow to the skin surface, minimizing heat loss.
- Seeking warmth: Behavioral responses, such as putting on additional clothing or moving to a warmer environment.

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Final Answer:

#### Matching:
1. A yeast cell budding → Reproduction
2. Pupils constricting in bright light → Sensitivity
3. A fertilized egg cell dividing → Growth
4. Exhaling carbon dioxide → Respiration
5. A plant carrying out photosynthesis → Nutrition

#### Extension Questions:
1. Egestion is not excretion because it removes undigested material, not metabolic waste.
2. Example of plant sensitivity: Phototropism (growth towards light).
3. Three key components for plant nutrition: Water, carbon dioxide, and minerals.
4. Example of human sensitivity: Shivering in response to cold.

Final Boxed Answer:
\boxed{
\begin{aligned}
&\text{1. Reproduction} \\
&\text{2. Sensitivity} \\
&\text{3. Growth} \\
&\text{4. Respiration} \\
&\text{5. Nutrition} \\
&\text{Extension Answers: See above.}
\end{aligned}
}