IGCSE 0610 : 1 Characteristics of living organisms
B : Features of Organisms
Text in this colour is the syllabus point
Text in this colour is information/answering the syllabus point
Text in this colour is a key term/definition
1.3 Features of Organisms
• List the features in the cells of all living organisms, limited to cytoplasm, cell membrane and DNA as genetic material
➔ All living organisms share the possession of a cellular structure
➔ They are all made up of one or more living units called cells.
➔ Cells include the following features :
1. Cytoplasm
● Jelly-like substance
● Contains smaller structures (organelles)
● All metabolic chemical reactions occur
2. DNA
● Chemical that forms the genes of the cell
● Responsible for the nature of the proteins made within the cell
● also for handing on this information to future generations
3. Cell Membrane
● Living, selectively permeable structure
● Encloses the cell contents
● Responsible for the entry of substances into and exit of substance from the cell.
➔ 2 of the most familiar kingdoms in the living universe are the animals and Plants.
, Animals vs Plants
Animal Plant
➔ Ingest (take in) and use organic materials from other living ➔ Manufacture food themselves through photosynthesis
organisms as their source of energy for growth and ◆ Absorbs carbon dioxide and water, using energy from
development. sunlight that is trapped by the green pigment,
chlorophyll.
➔ Able to move from one place to another (locomotion) ➔ Have only a few, but easily identifiable organs
◆ Except sponges - exceptions; Animals that remain ◆ Leaves, flowers, stems and roots.
fixed to the surface on which they live
➔ Sexual reproduction ➔ Complex reproductive cycle
◆ Animal reproduce using specialised reproductive cells ➔ Involves various agents to bring out the processes of
(gametes). pollination, and later, fruit and seed dispersal.
◆ Male gamete = Sperm
◆ Female gamete = Ovum / egg cell ➔ Asexual reproduction :
◆ Only few animals reproduce asexually ◆ a parent plant gives rise to many offspring
◆ Without involvement of gametes
◆ Common in plants
➔ Most have diploid nuclei. ➔ Most plants in their familiar form have diploid nuclei
◆ Each nucleus has 2 full sets of genetic material ➔ Very few have the non-matching XY sex chromosomes.
contained in matching chromosomes.
◆ Only X and Y chromosomes (the sex chromosomes)
do not exactly match
➔ No rigid cell wall surrounding cell membrane ➔ Plant cell is surrounded by a rigid cell wall made of cellulose
◆ Pressure within the cell caused by the entry of water
keeps the cell firm and supplies rigidity to the plant.
➔ Both are made up of many cells (multicellular)
B : Features of Organisms
Text in this colour is the syllabus point
Text in this colour is information/answering the syllabus point
Text in this colour is a key term/definition
1.3 Features of Organisms
• List the features in the cells of all living organisms, limited to cytoplasm, cell membrane and DNA as genetic material
➔ All living organisms share the possession of a cellular structure
➔ They are all made up of one or more living units called cells.
➔ Cells include the following features :
1. Cytoplasm
● Jelly-like substance
● Contains smaller structures (organelles)
● All metabolic chemical reactions occur
2. DNA
● Chemical that forms the genes of the cell
● Responsible for the nature of the proteins made within the cell
● also for handing on this information to future generations
3. Cell Membrane
● Living, selectively permeable structure
● Encloses the cell contents
● Responsible for the entry of substances into and exit of substance from the cell.
➔ 2 of the most familiar kingdoms in the living universe are the animals and Plants.
, Animals vs Plants
Animal Plant
➔ Ingest (take in) and use organic materials from other living ➔ Manufacture food themselves through photosynthesis
organisms as their source of energy for growth and ◆ Absorbs carbon dioxide and water, using energy from
development. sunlight that is trapped by the green pigment,
chlorophyll.
➔ Able to move from one place to another (locomotion) ➔ Have only a few, but easily identifiable organs
◆ Except sponges - exceptions; Animals that remain ◆ Leaves, flowers, stems and roots.
fixed to the surface on which they live
➔ Sexual reproduction ➔ Complex reproductive cycle
◆ Animal reproduce using specialised reproductive cells ➔ Involves various agents to bring out the processes of
(gametes). pollination, and later, fruit and seed dispersal.
◆ Male gamete = Sperm
◆ Female gamete = Ovum / egg cell ➔ Asexual reproduction :
◆ Only few animals reproduce asexually ◆ a parent plant gives rise to many offspring
◆ Without involvement of gametes
◆ Common in plants
➔ Most have diploid nuclei. ➔ Most plants in their familiar form have diploid nuclei
◆ Each nucleus has 2 full sets of genetic material ➔ Very few have the non-matching XY sex chromosomes.
contained in matching chromosomes.
◆ Only X and Y chromosomes (the sex chromosomes)
do not exactly match
➔ No rigid cell wall surrounding cell membrane ➔ Plant cell is surrounded by a rigid cell wall made of cellulose
◆ Pressure within the cell caused by the entry of water
keeps the cell firm and supplies rigidity to the plant.
➔ Both are made up of many cells (multicellular)
