1.1

Characteristics of living organisms

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)  · Unit 1: Characteristics and classification of living organisms  · 10 flashcards

Characteristics of living organisms is topic 1.1 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 1 — Characteristics and classification of living organisms , alongside Concept and uses of classification systems and Features of organisms.  In one line: Movement is an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical). Past papers from 2022 to 2025 record 5 explicit questions on this topic — though the concept underpins many adjacent topics, so it is tested far more often than that figure suggests.

The deck below contains 10 flashcards — 8 definitions and 2 key concepts — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the 8 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

'movement' as a characteristic of living organisms

Movement is an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.

Example: A cheetah running to catch prey, or a sunflower turning its head to face the sun.

What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says

Official 2026-2028 spec

These are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.

  1. Describe Describe the characteristics of living organisms by describing: (a) movement as an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place (b) respiration as the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism (c) sensitivity as the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment (d) growth as a permanent increase in size and dry mass (e) reproduction as the processes that make more of the same kind of organism (f) excretion as the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements (g) nutrition as the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development
Definition Flip

Define 'movement' as a characteristic of living organisms.

Answer Flip

Movement is an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.

Example: A cheetah running to catch prey, or a sunflower turning its head to face the sun.
Definition Flip

What is 'respiration' in the context of living organisms?

Answer Flip

Respiration refers to the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules, releasing energy for metabolism.

Example: Aerobic respiration in human muscle cells uses glucose and oxygen to produce ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.
Definition Flip

Describe 'sensitivity' as a characteristic of living organisms.

Answer Flip

Sensitivity is the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment.

Example: A plant growing towards light (phototropism) or a human pulling their hand away from a hot surface.
Definition Flip

Define 'growth' as a characteristic of living organisms.

Answer Flip

Growth is a permanent increase in size and dry mass.

Example: A seedling increasing in height and biomass as it develops into a mature plant.
Definition Flip

What is 'reproduction' in living organisms?

Answer Flip

Reproduction is the process by which organisms make more of the same kind of organism.

Example: Sexual reproduction in humans, or asexual reproduction in bacteria through binary fission.
Definition Flip

Describe 'excretion' as a characteristic of living organisms.

Answer Flip

Excretion is the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements.

Example: Humans excrete urea through urine, and plants excrete oxygen during photosynthesis.
Definition Flip

What is 'nutrition' in the context of living organisms?

Answer Flip

Nutrition is the taking in of materials for energy, growth, and development.

Example: Animals obtain nutrition by eating food, while plants obtain nutrition through photosynthesis and absorption of minerals from the soil.
Key Concept Flip

Give an example of how respiration relates to movement.

Answer Flip

Respiration provides the energy required for muscle contraction, enabling movement.

Example: during exercise, muscle cells respire more to provide the energy needed for physical activity.
Key Concept Flip

How is sensitivity important for survival?

Answer Flip

Sensitivity allows organisms to respond to threats and opportunities in their environment, increasing their chances of survival and reproduction.

Example: A Venus flytrap closing its trap when a fly lands on it.
Definition Flip

Explain the difference between growth and development.

Answer Flip

Growth is an increase in size and dry mass, while development involves changes in the organism's complexity and function.

Example: A tadpole growing in size is growth, while its metamorphosis into a frog is development.

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1.2 Concept and uses of classification systems

Key Questions: Characteristics of living organisms

Define 'movement' as a characteristic of living organisms.

Movement is an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.

Example: A cheetah running to catch prey, or a sunflower turning its head to face the sun.
What is 'respiration' in the context of living organisms?

Respiration refers to the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules, releasing energy for metabolism.

Example: Aerobic respiration in human muscle cells uses glucose and oxygen to produce ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.
Describe 'sensitivity' as a characteristic of living organisms.

Sensitivity is the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment.

Example: A plant growing towards light (phototropism) or a human pulling their hand away from a hot surface.
Define 'growth' as a characteristic of living organisms.

Growth is a permanent increase in size and dry mass.

Example: A seedling increasing in height and biomass as it develops into a mature plant.
What is 'reproduction' in living organisms?

Reproduction is the process by which organisms make more of the same kind of organism.

Example: Sexual reproduction in humans, or asexual reproduction in bacteria through binary fission.

Tips to avoid common mistakes in Characteristics of living organisms

More topics in Unit 1 — Characteristics and classification of living organisms

Characteristics of living organisms sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

1.2 Concept and uses of classification systems

10 flashcards
1.3 Features of organisms

10 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

MRS GREN movement respiration sensitivity growth reproduction excretion nutrition living organism life processes

Key terms covered in this Characteristics of living organisms deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

'movement' as a characteristic of living organisms
'respiration' in the context of living organisms
Describe 'sensitivity' as a characteristic of living organisms
'growth' as a characteristic of living organisms
'reproduction' in living organisms
Describe 'excretion' as a characteristic of living organisms
'nutrition' in the context of living organisms
Explain the difference between growth and development

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How to study this Characteristics of living organisms deck

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