iGCSE Science (Single Award) Edexcel
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70 topics in 17 modules
☑️ The Nature and Variety of Living Organisms 4 topics
- Characteristics of Living Organisms
- Eukaryotic Organisms
- Prokaryotic Organisms
- Pathogens
☑️ Structure and Functions in Living Organisms 8 topics
- Level of Organisation
- Cell Structure
- Biological Molecules
- Movement of Substances into and out of Cells
- Nutrition
- Respiration
- Gas Exchange
- Transport
☑️ Reproduction and Inheritance 7 topics
- Sexual and Asexual Reproduction
- Plants
- Humans
- Chromosomes
- Genes
- Genetic Variations
- Natural Selection
☑️ Ecology and the Environment 3 topics
- The Organism in the Environment
- Feeding Relationships
- Cycles within Ecosystems
☑️ Use of Biological Resources 3 topics
- Food Production: Crop Plants
- Food Production: Micro-organisms
- Genetic Modification (Engineering)
☑️ Principles of Chemistry 7 topics
- States of Matter
- Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
- Atomic Structure
- The Periodic Table
- Chemical Formulae and Equations
- Ionic Bonding
- Covalent Bonding
☑️ Inorganic Chemistry 6 topics
- Group 1 (Alkali Metals)
- Group 7 (Halogens)
- Gases in the Atmosphere
- Reactivity Series
- Acids and Alkalis
- Chemical Tests
☑️ Physical Chemistry 2 topics
- Energetics
- Rates of Reaction
☑️ Organic Chemistry 5 topics
- Organic Chemistry
- Crude Oil
- Alkanes
- Alkenes
- Synthetic Polymers
☑️ Forces and Motion 3 topics
- Units
- Movement and Position
- Forces and Movement
☑️ Electricity 3 topics
- Units
- Mains Electricity
- Current and Voltage in Circuits
☑️ Waves 4 topics
- Units
- Properties of Waves
- The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Light and Sound
☑️ Energy Resources and Energy Transfers 3 topics
- Units
- Energy Transfers
- Work and Power
☑️ Solids, Liquids and Gases 3 topics
- Units
- Density and Pressure
- Ideal Gas Molecules
☑️ Magnetism and Electromagnetism 3 topics
- Units
- Magnetism
- Electromagnetism
☑️ Radioactivity and Particles 3 topics
- Units
- Radioactivity
- Fission and Fusion
☑️ Astrophysics 3 topics
- Units
- Motion in the Universe
- Stellar Evolution
iGCSE Science (Single Award) Edexcel Revision Content
Take a look at the written content available for this course. Practice-question availability may vary.
iGCSE Science (Single Award) Edexcel - The Nature and Variety of Living Organisms - Characteristics of Living Organisms Content Preview
The Nature and Variety of Living Organisms
Characteristics of Living Organisms
Characteristics of Living Organisms
Growth
- All living organisms have the ability to grow.
- This growth is from within, where cells divide and specialise into different types, leading to increase in size and complexity.
- Organisms not only grow in size, but also in complexity – this is called development.
Reproduction
- An important property of life is the ability to reproduce or create organisms like themselves.
- This may be asexual (without the fusion of gametes) or sexual (with fusion of gametes) reproduction.
- The offspring produced carry characteristics from their parents – this process is governed by genetics.
Respiration
- All living beings perform a process called respiration, converting food into usable energy.
- In simple terms, it's the process of taking in oxygen and giving out carbon dioxide.
- This energy is used for all activities within the organism.
Sensitivity
- Living organisms are sensitive; they can respond and react to changes in their environment.
- This response may involve movement, secretion of hormones, or other physiological changes.
Nutrition
- All organisms take in and use nutrients — substances required for growth, repair, and normal functioning.
- Autotrophs, such as plants, create their own food, whereas heterotrophs, such as animals, must ingest their food.
Excretion
- Excretion is the process where waste substances are removed from the body.
- These waste products are the by-products of metabolic activities, and if not removed, can be hazardous to the organism.
Movement
- Most living organisms have the ability to move.
- This allows them to respond to their environment in many ways, such as by finding food, escaping from predators, or seeking a mate.
Remember, the seven characteristics listed above are not just applicable to animals, but also to plants, fungi, protists, bacteria, and archaea. There is a huge diversity in the living world, but every organism shares these basic processes.
Question: Explain the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs in terms of their nutritional needs.
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