Biology: An Introduction to Living Organisms

The Characteristics of Living Organisms

All living organisms have 7 main characteristics in common, being their ability to:
 Move
 Respire
 Excrete
 Respond to stimuli
 Grow
 Reproduce
 Feed

Classification of Living Organisms

Based on similarities and differences between organisms, they can be classified, which can
simply be done based on visible characteristics present in an organism. Scientists also use
internal structures, life cycles, developmental and electron microscopic techniques to classify
organisms.
The basic category of classification is species. A species is a group of organisms of common
ancestry that closely resemble each other and are usually able to interbreed to produce offspring.
Closely related species are then grouped into genera (singular genus), then into families, orders,
classes, phyla (singular phylum) then kingdoms and finally domains. There are 5 kingdoms in
modern classification, being Prokaryote, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. The following
video will explain such: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oID1h-zL-
uw&pp=ygUgdGhlIDUga2luZ2RvbXMgaW4gY2xhc3NpZmljYXRpb24%3D
The plant kingdom is divided into bryophytes, ferns, conifers and flowering plants (further
divided into monocotyledons and dicotyledons).
The animal kingdom is made up of subdivisions being porifera (sponges), cnidaria,
platyhelminths (flatworms), nematodes (roundworms), annelids (segmented worms), arthropods
(further divided into crustaceans, arachnids, insects and myriapods), mollusks, echinoderms and
chordates (further divided into pisces (fish), amphibians, reptiles, aves (birds) and mammals).

Questions:
1) Identify 5 ways to determine whether something is living.
If the organism moves, excretes, responds to stimulus, respires and reproduces, it is living.
2) What methods do scientists use to classify organisms?
Scientists check for similarities in DNA structures and physical properties.
3) a. What makes members of the Prokaryote kingdom different from members of the other
four kingdoms?
They are unicellular organisms, lack true nuclei, and other organelles.
b. Name the other four kingdoms into which organisms can be classified.
Protoctista, fungi, plantae and animalia.
4) State three differences between plants and animals.
Plants perform photosynthesis, whereas animals do not. Plants have cell walls, whereas animals
do not, and plants have large vacuoles to store water, and animals don’t.
5) What is a species?
A species is a group of interrelated organisms that resemble each other and can interbreed to
produce offspring.

6) Give two ways to distinguish between a monocotyledon and a dicotyledon.

 A monocotyledon contains one cotyledon (seed leaf) in the seed, and a dicotyledon has
two cotyledons in the seed.
 A monocotyledon’s leaves are usually long and narrow and have straight, parallel veins,
whereas dicotyledonous leaves have a network of veins and are usually broad.

7) Give two characteristics of the members of each of the following groups:

Insects: Have segmented bodies; Have a pair of antennae.
Fish: Have fins for swimming; Have waterproof skin covered in scales.
Mammals: Feed their young with milk produced by their bodies; Have waterproof skin with hair
and sweat glands.
Arthropods: Have a waterproof exoskeleton mainly made of chitin; Have several pairs of jointed
legs.

Living Organisms in Their Environment

Living organisms constantly interact with each other and the environment in which they live.
Ecology is defined as the study of interrelationships of living organisms with each other and with
their environment.
An environment is the combination of factors that surround and act upon an organism and can be
divided into 2 groups, being biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
A Habitat is the place where a particular organism lives.
A species is a group of organisms of common ancestry that resemble each other and can
interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
A population is known as all the members of a particular species living together in a particular
habitat.
A community is all the populations of different species living together in a particular habitat.
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their abiotic
environment.
An niche is the role an organism plays in an environment.

Carrying out an ecological study

The aim of studying an ecosystem is to identify the different species of plants and animals
present, to find out where they live, determine their numbers and find out the relationships they
have with each other and the abiotic factors.

Sampling Techniques
It is not practical to count all the organisms in an area, so sampling techniques are used to sample
small areas from which inferences can be made about the ecosystem. These are:
 Observation
 Quadrats
 Line transects
 Belt transects

Questions:
1) What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of the environment and how biotic and abiotic factors interact with each
other.
2) Distinguish between the following pairs of terms:
Habitat and Niche: A habitat is the location in which an organism lives, and a niche is the role the
organism plays.
Population and Community: A population is known as all the members of a particular species
living together in a particular habitat and a community is all the populations of different species
living together in a particular habitat.
Species and Population: A species is a group of organisms of common ancestry that resemble
each other and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring; a population is known as all the
members of a particular species living together in a particular habitat.
3) Identify four methods you could use to collect organisms from a habitat.
 Observation
 Line transect
 Quadrats
 Belt transect

4) Define the term ‘environment’.

An environment is the combination of factors that surround and act upon an organism and can be
divided into 2 groups, being biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
5) Distinguish between the biotic and abiotic environment.
Biotic: The living components in an environment.
Abiotic: The non-living components in an environment.
6) Discuss the importance of each of the following climatic factors to living organisms:
Light: Light affects organisms in various ways:
Coloration, in which light influences the coloration of animal skin or feathers.
Growth and Reproduction, where light impacts growth and reproduction in different species.
Migration and Hibernation, it affects migration patterns and hibernation.
Attraction and Repulsion, light can attract or repel organisms, impacting their habitat and
survival.
Temperature: Temperature affects the physiology of living things as well as the density and state
of water. It exerts an important influence on living organisms because few can survive at
temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) due to metabolic constraints. It is also rare for them to survive
at temperatures exceeding 45 °C (113 °F).
Atmospheric gases: Atmospheric gases work together to keep the global temperatures within
livable limits, shield the surface of Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and
allow living things to thrive. It is clear that all of Earth’s systems are deeply intertwined, but
sometimes this connection can lead to harmful, yet unintended, consequences.
Living organisms constantly interact with each other and their environment. Ecology, the study
of these interactions, encompasses both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that
influence organisms.

Key Concepts:

8) Ecology:
o Defined as the study of the interrelationships between living organisms and their
environment.
9) Environment:
o The combination of factors surrounding and acting upon an organism, divided
into biotic and abiotic factors.
10) Habitat and Niche:
o Habitat: The place where an organism lives.
o Niche: The role an organism plays in its environment.
11) Species, Population, and Community:
o Species: A group of organisms with common ancestry that can interbreed to
produce fertile offspring.
o Population: All members of a particular species living together in a specific
habitat.
o Community: All populations of different species living together in a specific
habitat.
12) Ecosystem:
o A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their abiotic
environment.

Ecological Study Methods: The aim of studying an ecosystem is to identify species, determine
their habitat and numbers, and understand their relationships with each other and abiotic factors.
Sampling techniques include:

 Observation: Directly watching and recording organisms.

 Quadrats: Sampling small, defined areas to estimate population sizes.
 Line Transects: Studying organisms along a straight line across the habitat.
 Belt Transects: Studying a wider strip, often using multiple quadrats along a line
transect.

Environmental Factors:

13) Light:
o Influences coloration, growth, reproduction, migration, hibernation, and attraction
or repulsion of organisms.
14) Temperature:
o Affects the physiology and survival of organisms, with few able to survive below
0°C (32°F) or above 45°C (113°F).
 15) Atmospheric Gases:
o Essential for maintaining global temperatures, shielding from UV radiation, and
supporting life processes.

Conclusion: Understanding the complex interactions within ecosystems is crucial for studying
ecology. Various methods and concepts help in analyzing how organisms adapt to and influence
their environment.

Multiple Choice Questions on Ecology

16) What is ecology?

o A) The study of physical structures of organisms.
o B) The study of the interrelationships of living organisms with each other and
their environment. ✅
o C) The study of the historical evolution of organisms.
o D) The study of the genetic makeup of organisms.

Answer:

17) What defines a habitat?

o A) The role an organism plays in its environment.
o B) The place where a particular organism lives. ✅
o C) The number of organisms in a species.
o D) The relationship between different species in an environment.

Answer:

18) Which of the following best describes a niche?

o A) The place where an organism lives.
o B) The interactions between different populations.
o C) The role an organism plays in its environment. ✅
o D) The study of living organisms and their environment.

Answer:

19) Which term refers to all the members of a particular species living together in a
specific habitat?
o A) Community
o B) Ecosystem
o C) Niche
o D) Population ✅

Answer:
 20) What is a community?
o A) All the members of a particular species living together in a specific habitat.
o B) The role an organism plays in its environment.
o C) All the populations of different species living together in a particular habitat. ✅
o D) The study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.

Answer:

21) Which of the following is a biotic factor in an environment?

o A) Temperature
o B) Light
o C) Plants ✅
o D) Water

Answer:

22) Which sampling technique involves studying organisms along a straight line across
the habitat?
o A) Observation
o B) Quadrats
o C) Line transects ✅
o D) Belt transects

Answer:

23) What is the primary aim of an ecological study?

o A) To identify species, determine their habitat, numbers, and their relationships
with each other and abiotic factors. ✅
o B) To classify organisms based on their genetic makeup.
o C) To develop new species through genetic engineering.
o D) To study the historical evolution of species.

Answer:

24) Which of the following climatic factors affect organisms' coloration, growth,
reproduction, migration, and hibernation?
o A) Temperature
o B) Atmospheric gases
o C) Light
o D) Soil composition

Answer: ALL correction C

 25) Which term refers to a community of living organisms interacting with each other
and their abiotic environment?
o A) Habitat
o B) Ecosystem ✅
o C) Population
o D) Community

Answer:

AUGUST 1, 2024
The Chemistry of Living Organisms
Living organisms are composed of roughly 22 different chemical elements, which are combined
to form a variety of compounds. There are six major elements of which approximately 99% of
the mass of the human body is comprised. In increasing order of abundance (in relation to mass),
they are:
 Phosphorus – 1.2%
 Calcium – 1.5%
 Nitrogen – 3.0%
 Hydrogen – 10.0%
 Carbon – 18.0%
 Oxygen – 65.0%
N.B: Other elements make up approx. 1.3% of the mass of the human body. The rest of the
body’s mass (0.1%) is simply trace elements, such as Iron, Copper and Zinc.
The main compounds formed from these elements include water, an inorganic compound which
makes up about 65% of the body, and carbohydrates, proteins and lipids which are all organic
compounds.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates include sugars and starches. They are molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen atoms. The ratio of hydrogen atoms to carbon atoms is always 2:1. The simplest
carbohydrate molecule has the formula C6H12O6. Carbohydrates can be classified into three
groups: monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.

Group Properties Formula Examples

Monosaccharides These carbohydrates C6H12O6  Glucose
are soluble in water  Fructose
 and have a sweet  Galactose
taste.
Disaccharides Have a sweet taste C12H22O11  Maltose
and dissolve in water.  Sucrose
 Lactose
Polysaccharides These are insoluble in (C6H10O5)n  Starch
water and do not have  Cellulose
a sweet taste.  Glycogen
(animal
starch)

Disaccharides are formed by chemically joining two monosaccharide molecules together with
the loss of a water molecule from between, a process called condensation or dehydration
synthesis:
C6H12O6 + C6H12O6 = C12H22O11 + H2O
Glucose + glucose = maltose
Glucose + fructose = sucrose
Glucose + galactose = lactose

Polysaccharides are formed by the condensation of many monosaccharides into straight or

branched chains.
Condensation: The joining of molecules with the loss of water.
Hydrolysis: Splitting molecules by adding water.

Lipids
Lipids are fats and oils. They feel greasy to the touch and are insoluble in water. Lipids are
molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Their molecules have fewer
oxygen atoms than carbohydrate molecules. Each lipid molecule is composed of four smaller
interconnected molecules, three fatty acid molecules and one glycerol molecule.

Proteins
Proteins are molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen as well as sulphur and
phosphorus atoms (on occasion). The atoms form small molecules known as amino acids. There
are 20 different common amino acids. Protein molecules are formed by the condensation of
hundreds or even thousands of amino acids linked in long chains. The links formed between
adjacent amino acid molecules are called peptide links. To give each protein molecule a specific
shape, the chains then fold repeatedly.

Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins that living cells produce from amino acids obtained from diet in animals or
produced by plants. Without the existence of enzymes, chemical reactions would occur too
slowly to sustain life. Examples include:
Amylase, which catalyses the breakdown of starch into various sugars, mainly maltose. It is
present in saliva, pancreatic juice and germinating seeds.
Catalase catalyses the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Catalase is found
in most cells. It prevents the build-up of harmful hydrogen peroxide which is produced as a by-
product of many cell-related chemical reactions.

All enzymes share similar properties, being:

 Each type of enzyme catalyses only one type of reaction.
 Enzymes work best at a specific (optimum) temperature and pH. This is roughly 37
degrees Celsius and a pH of 7 for enzymes found in humans.
 High temperatures (above 40- 45 degrees Celsius) as well as extreme acidic or alkaline
conditions cause enzymes to become denatured, whereas the shape of the molecule
changes so that it is unable to perform its function.
 The actions of most enzymes are improved by certain vitamins and minerals (Vitamin B),
and are inhibited by certain poisons (arsenic and cyanide)

ASSESSMENT

Short Answer Questions on the Chemistry of Living Organisms

26) List the six major elements that make up approximately 99% of the mass of the
human body in increasing order of abundance.

Answer: Phosphorus, Calcium, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen

27) What percentage of the human body is composed of oxygen?

Answer: 65%✅

28) Which inorganic compound makes up about 65% of the human body?

Answer: Water ✅
 29) What are the three main types of organic compounds found in the human body?

Answer: Carbohydrates, Proteins and Lipids

30) Describe the general structure of a carbohydrate molecule.

Answer:

31) What is the simplest carbohydrate molecule formula?

Answer: C6H12O6

32) Differentiate between monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides in terms

of solubility and taste.

Answer: Monosaccharides and disaccharides both have a sweet taste and are soluble in
water, whereas polysaccharides are insoluble in water and are not sweet to the taste.

33) Provide the chemical formula for disaccharides.

Answer: C12H22O11

34) Explain the process of condensation (dehydration synthesis) in carbohydrate

formation.

Answer: Condensation is described as the joining of molecules through the loss of water.

35) What are the products of the condensation reaction between two glucose molecules?

Answer: Maltose

36) What is the main difference between the molecular composition of lipids and
carbohydrates?

Answer: Lipids and carbohydrates are both made up of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen
molecules, but a lipid always has less oxygen molecules than a carbohydrate.

37) Describe the composition of a lipid molecule.

Answer: In a lipid molecule, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon atoms are present. Each lipid
molecule is comprised of four interconnected molecules, being three fatty acid molecules
and one glycerol molecule.

38) List the elements that compose protein molecules.

Answer: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Phosphorus

 39) What are amino acids, and how many common amino acids are there?

Answer: Amino acids are produced when many proteins come together, and there are 20
different common amino acids.

40) What are peptide links, and what role do they play in protein structure?

Answer: Peptide links are strong binds that join amino acids to each other to form unique
structures.

41) Explain how enzymes function and why they are crucial for sustaining life.

Answer: Enzymes are proteins produced by living cells from amino acids, and they increase
the rate at which biological reactions occur.

42) Name two examples of enzymes and their specific functions.

Answer: Amylase, which catalyses the breakdown of starch into various sugars.

Catalase catalyses the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

43) What are the optimal conditions for enzyme activity in humans?

Answer: Optimum temperature (37 degrees Celsius) and optimum pH (7).

44) What happens to enzymes when they become denatured?

Answer: The shape changes so much that they are unable to perform their functions.

45) How do vitamins and minerals affect the actions of enzymes?

Answer: Vitamins and minerals help speed up the actions of enzymes in the body.

Multiple Choice Questions on the Chemistry of Living Organisms

46) Which element makes up the largest percentage of the human body's mass?
o A) Carbon
o B) Hydrogen
o C) Oxygen
o D) Nitrogen

Answer:

47) What percentage of the human body is composed of carbon?

o A) 10.0%
o B) 18.0%
 o C) 65.0%
o D) 1.5%

Answer:

48) Which of the following is an inorganic compound that makes up about 65% of the
body?
o A) Carbohydrates
o B) Proteins
o C) Water
o D) Lipids

Answer:

49) Carbohydrates are molecules composed of which elements?

o A) Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
o B) Carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen
o C) Hydrogen, oxygen, and sulphur
o D) Carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen

Answer:

50) What is the simplest carbohydrate molecule formula?

o A) C12H22O11
o B) C6H12O6
o C) C6H10O5
o D) C5H10O5

Answer:

51) Which of the following carbohydrates is classified as a monosaccharide?

o A) Maltose
o B) Sucrose
o C) Starch
o D) Glucose

Answer:

52) What is the chemical formula for disaccharides?

o A) C6H12O6
o B) C12H22O11
o C) C6H10O5
o D) C5H10O5
Answer:

53) Which process involves the joining of molecules with the loss of water?
o A) Hydrolysis
o B) Condensation
o C) Oxidation
o D) Reduction

Answer:

54) Which of the following is an example of a polysaccharide?

o A) Fructose
o B) Lactose
o C) Cellulose
o D) Sucrose

Answer:

55) Lipids are composed of which elements?

o A) Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
o B) Carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen
o C) Hydrogen, oxygen, and sulphur
o D) Carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen

Answer:

56) Each lipid molecule is composed of how many smaller molecules?

o A) Two fatty acids and one glycerol
o B) Three fatty acids and one glycerol
o C) Four fatty acids and one glycerol
o D) Two glycerol and one fatty acid

Answer:

57) Proteins are molecules composed of which elements?

o A) Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
o B) Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur
o C) Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus
o D) Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sulphur

Answer:

58) How many common amino acids are there?

o A) 10
 o B) 20
o C) 30
o D) 40

Answer:

59) What type of link forms between adjacent amino acid molecules in proteins?
o A) Glycosidic link
o B) Ester link
o C) Peptide link
o D) Hydrogen link

Answer:

60) Enzymes are proteins that catalyse biochemical reactions. Which of the following is
an example of an enzyme?
o A) Glucose
o B) Catalase
o C) Sucrose
o D) Glycogen

Answer:

61) Amylase catalyses the breakdown of which substance?

o A) Starch
o B) Protein
o C) Lipid
o D) Nucleic acid

Answer:

62) Which of the following best describes the optimal conditions for enzyme activity in
humans?
o A) High temperatures and acidic pH
o B) Low temperatures and alkaline pH
o C) Around 37 degrees Celsius and a pH of 7
o D) Around 45 degrees Celsius and a pH of 5

Answer:

63) What happens to enzymes when they become denatured?

o A) They increase their activity
o B) Their shape changes, preventing them from functioning
 o C) They break down into amino acids
o D) They catalyse multiple types of reactions

Answer:

64) How do vitamins and minerals affect enzyme activity?

o A) They always inhibit enzyme activity
o B) They have no effect on enzyme activity
o C) They can enhance enzyme activity
o D) They denature enzymes

Answer: