1. Nutrition z Nutrition is how organisms get their food. z Plants are producers: they make their own food by photosynthesis. z Animals are consumers: they eat other animals or plants.
2. Respiration z Respiration is the release of energy from food. z It takes place in every cell of the body. z Living things need energy to grow and reproduce. z Respiration should not be confused with breathing.
3. Excretion z Excretion is the removal of waste from cells. z Waste must be expelled (excreted) from cells in case they become toxic. z Excretion should not be confused with egestion (when waste food material leaves the body).
4. Growth z All living things grow. z Growth is an increase in the size of a living thing. z Living things grow because their cells divide.
5. Reproduction z Reproduction is the ability to produce new individuals (offspring). z Reproduction ensures that a type of organism will not become extinct (die out).
6. Movement z All living things move. z Animals move their whole body to find food, mates and shelter or to escape danger.
z Parts of plants move to absorb more sunlight.
7. Response z Response is the ability to react to a change in the environment. z When an organism senses a change, it must respond fast in order to adapt and survive.
Characteristics of life
Using the first letter from each characteristic above, create a mnemonic to help you remember the seven characteristics of living organisms. For example, No Really Excellent Giant Rates My Roar.
