Question

1. Describe the five characteristics of life, and list several nonliving things that possess at least two of these characteristics.

2. Explain how an atom relates to the biosphere by describing the levels of organization.

3. Why is a cell, and not an atom or a molecule, considered the basic unit of life?

4. Draw and explain the relationship between producers and consumers (including decomposers).

5. How does a homes’ air conditioning system illustrate homeostasis?

6. Describe the main differences between asexual and sexual reproduction. Why are both types of reproduction common?

7. How are the members of the three domains similar? How are they different?

8. List each step of the scientific method and explain why it is important.

9. Give two examples of questions that you cannot answer using the scientific method. Explain your reasoning for choosing them.

10. Name an example of emergent properties from everyday life (other than the brownie example given in the textbook).

Answer 1

Characteristics of life

1. Growth

All living things grow in size point animals show localised growth and grow up to a limited age whereas plants show diffused growth and grow throughout their life. This characteristic is not defining feature of living beings because some of the human beings because of a genetic disorder dwarfism cannot grow. Also some non living things like mountains show growth by deposition of substances on their surface.

2. Reproduction

Every living organism undergoes reproduction to increase in their numbers. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are shown by living organisms. This is also not a defining feature of Living beings because some of the human beings and other living organisms cannot undergo reproduction because they are infertile.

3. Response to stimulus

The ability to respond to environment is known as consciousness and is unexceptionally present in all the living organisms. There is no non living thing which shows response to stimulus. Therefore this is the defining feature of life.

4. Metabolism and homeostasis

All the cellular processes which occur inside a living organism are called as metabolic processes. It includes both building up and break down reactions. But these processes can be performed in vitro inside a test tube under controlled conditions. Therefore metabolism and homeostasis are also not defining features of life.

5. Cellular organisation

All the different biomolecules and cell organelles are organised into one structure called as cell. Different types of cell combine to form tissue which further combine to form organs. Organs combine to form organ system. This type of organisation is present from cell level to organ system level in different living organisms. But this organisation can also be prepared in in vitro conditions. Therefore this is also not a defining feature of living organisms.

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