CIE iGCSE Co-Ordinated Science B1.1 Characteristics of living organisms Exam Style Questions Paper 1
Question
Which processes occur in both animals and plants?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans :A
Question
Which statement about the characteristics of living organisms is correct?
A Excretion is the chemical reactions in cells that release energy.
B Nutrition is the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development.
C Respiration is the process that makes more of the same kind.
D Sensitivity is the removal of toxic materials and excess substances.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans :A
Question
Which statement about one of the characteristics of living organisms is correct?
A Excretion is the removal of excess substances and toxic materials.
B Movement is the ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.
C Nutrition is the maintenance of a constant internal environment.
D Respiration is the manufacture of nutrients from raw materials.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans :A
Question
Which characteristic of living organisms involves chemical reactions that break down nutrient molecules to release energy?
(A) excretion
(B) nutrition
(C) reproduction
(D) respiration
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans: D
Question
Which characteristic of living organisms involves chemical reactions that break down nutrient molecules to release energy?
(A) excretion
(B) nutrition
(C) reproduction
(D) respiration
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans : D
Question
The diagram shows how an aquatic carnivorous bladderwort plant reacts to tiny aquatic organisms that swim by.
Which characteristics of living organisms are shown by this plant?
A excretion and growth
B growth and sensitivity
C nutrition and excretion
D nutrition and sensitivity
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans: D
Question
Which is not a characteristic of all living organisms?
A excretion
B growth
C photosynthesis
D sensitivity
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans : C
Question
What is meant by respiration?
(A) protein synthesis
(B) sweating to lose heat
(C) the function of lungs
(D) the release of energy
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans : D
Question
A person throws a ball which their dog runs after and brings back to them.
Which characteristics of living things is the dog showing by this action?
(A) growth and nutrition
(B) movement and nutrition
(C) movement and sensitivity
(D) sensitivity and growth
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans: C
Question
Which statement about the characteristics of living organisms is correct?
(A) Excretion is the removal of excess substances and toxic materials.
(B) Movement is the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes.
(C) Nutrition is the breaking down of molecules to release energy.
(D) Respiration is the manufacture of carbohydrates from raw materials.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans: A
Question
Which characteristic of a living organism releases energy for growth?
(A) excretion
(B) reproduction
(C) respiration
(D) sensitivity
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans : C
Question
The diagram shows a germinating seed below the soil surface.
Which characteristic of living organisms ensures that the shoot grows upwards and the root grows downwards?
(A) excretion
(B) nutrition
(C) reproduction
(D) sensitivity
▶Answer/Explanation
Ans : D
Question
What is a characteristic of all living organisms?
(A) excretion
(B) digestion
(C) photosynthesis
(D) sexual reproduction
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans: A
Question
Which two characteristics of living organisms are demonstrated by gravitropism?
(A) growth and nutrition
(B) growth and sensitivity
(C) respiration and nutrition
(D) respiration and sensitivity
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans: B
Question
Which characteristic of living things is described as the removal of toxic materials and substances in excess of requirements?
(A) excretion
(B) homeostasis
(C) nutrition
(D) respiration
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans: A
Question
Which statement defines excretion?
A. the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism
B. the removal from organisms of the waste products of metabolism
C. the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development
D. the ability to detect or sense stimuli in the internal or external environment and to make appropriate responses
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: Excretion is the process by which waste products of metabolism are removed from the body. This includes substances like carbon dioxide, urea, and excess water. Option B correctly defines excretion, while the other options describe different biological processes such as respiration (A), nutrition (C), and sensitivity (D).
Question
All living organisms can break down nutrient molecules to release energy. What is this process?
A. excretion
B. growth
C. nutrition
D. respiration
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. respiration
Explanation: Respiration is the process by which living organisms break down nutrient molecules to release energy. This energy is used for various metabolic processes in the body.
Question
Lions are carnivores that chase, catch and eat zebra.
While still chasing zebra, which characteristic of living organisms is not exhibited by the lion?
A. movement
B. nutrition
C. respiration
D. sensitivity
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. nutrition
Explanation: While chasing zebra, the lion is exhibiting movement, respiration, and sensitivity. However, nutrition involves the intake of food, which occurs after the lion catches and eats the zebra, not during the chase.
Question
Which would be considered movement by an organism?
- a tree’s leaves being blown by the wind
- migration of zebra in Africa
- a student changing their seating position in a classroom
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Movement in organisms refers to actions that are controlled by the organism itself. The tree’s leaves being blown by the wind (option 1) is not controlled by the tree, so it is not considered movement by the organism. Migration of zebra (option 2) and a student changing their seating position (option 3) are both controlled actions, so they are considered movement by the organism.
Question
What is not a characteristic of all living organisms?
A. excretion
B. growth
C. photosynthesis
D. sensitivity
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. photosynthesis
Explanation: Photosynthesis is a process carried out by plants and some other organisms, but it is not a characteristic of all living organisms. All living organisms exhibit excretion, growth, and sensitivity.
Question
Which characteristic of living things is described as the removal of toxic materials and substances in excess of requirements?
A. excretion
B. homeostasis
C. nutrition
D. respiration
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. excretion
Explanation: Excretion is the process by which living organisms remove waste products and toxic materials from their bodies. This is essential for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring that harmful substances do not accumulate in the body.
Question
The diagram shows some apparatus that can be used to test for one of the characteristics of life.
Which characteristic is being tested?
A. Excretion
B. Nutrition
C. Reproduction
D. Sensitivity
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. Excretion
Explanation: The apparatus shown in the diagram is used to test for excretion, which is one of the characteristics of life. Excretion involves the removal of waste products from the body, and the apparatus is designed to detect these waste products.
Question
Which process do all living organisms carry out?
A. asexual reproduction
B. excretion
C. ingestion
D. photosynthesis
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. excretion
Explanation: All living organisms carry out excretion, which is the removal of waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements. This is a fundamental characteristic of living organisms.
Question
Which term is used to describe the removal of toxic materials from living organisms?
A. excretion
B. nutrition
C. respiration
D. secretion
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. excretion
Explanation: Excretion is the process by which waste products of metabolism and other non-useful materials are eliminated from an organism. This includes the removal of toxic materials.
Question
The diagram shows a germinating seed in the soil.
Which characteristics of living organisms is the seed demonstrating?
| Characteristic (Growth) | Characteristic (Sensitivity) | |
|---|---|---|
| A | ✓ | ✓ |
| B | ✓ | ✗ |
| C | ✗ | ✓ |
| D | ✗ | ✗ |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: A germinating seed demonstrates both growth (as it grows into a plant) and sensitivity (as it responds to environmental stimuli like light and gravity).
Question
What is correct for all living organisms?
A. They are sensitive to changes in their environment.
B. They excrete solid waste from their bodies.
C. They feed on other living organisms.
D. They grow larger by increasing their cell number.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: All living organisms are sensitive to changes in their environment, which is one of the key characteristics of life. This sensitivity allows them to respond to stimuli, which is essential for survival.