5 Characteristics Of Living Organism Essay

Question 1: Briefly describe and list fives characteristics of living organisms. Give examples of each.

1. Organization is one characteristic of life. An example of this is the levels of biological organization. The complex organization of life begins with atoms, the basic unit of matter. The atoms then combine to form small molecules and then begin to form larger molecules within a cell. Eventually the organism grow to form new populations. Each level progresses into something bigger.

2. The second characteristic of life is, life requires materials and energy. All living organisms require a source of energy. For plants, they require sunlight or solar energy. Animals require food for nutrients and energy. example of this is plants requiring

A buffer is important to the pH of living system because, the buffer helps keep our body fluids within normal limits. In all living organism the pH of bodily fluids has to stay within normal limits for any organism to maintain life. If a living organism has hydrogen ion concentration level is too high, it will be too acidic or too low on the pH scale. Likewise, if the organism’s hydroxide ion concentration is too high, it will be too basic or too high on the pH scale. If this occurs, it can affect the living organism’s life. An example of this is human blood on the pH scale. The pH level of our blood, when we are healthy is 7.4; which is slightly basic (alkaline). If blood increases on the pH scale it can be life threatening; likewise, if blood decreases on the pH scale below 7.0, it can be life threatening. In order to keep blood at 7.4 it has to have stability that our body has; and a buffer is an essential mechanism to keep blood at a safe level.

Question 3: Describe how DNA and RNA are both different from and similar to each

The plasma membrane of the cell is selectively permeable. This means that the plasma membrane only allows certain substances to enter and exit the cell by certain methods, and keeps other things that are not needed, out. It is important that that the cell filters certain things because, the cell must maintain its normal composition under changing environment conditions. If the plasma membrane was not selective of what enters and exits the cell, the cell could be harmed by things that are not supposed to be in the cell. Molecules that are allowed to enter the cell membrane, generally requires little to no energy. Substances that are hydrophobic is similar to the phospholipid center of the membrane. This allows substances to diffuse across across the membrane with zero energy. Molecules like, carbon dioxide, oxygen, alcohol, and glycerol; can freely move across the cell because they are none charged molecules that require no energy. The molecules are a Substances can cross the plasma membrane through passive transport or facilitated transport. If a substance enters the cell through passive transport, the plasma membrane is completely permeable to that substance, meaning that the substance is following its concentration gradient. This means it is moving from a high concentration to a low concentration. During facilitated transport, a