1 syllabus statements
- 1. 09/04/2016 1. Characteristics & Classification of living organisms Syllabus statements Statements from Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry syllabus 0610 (for exams in 2016 – 2018)
- 2. 1.1 Characteristics of living organisms • Describe the characteristics of living organisms by defining the terms: – movement as an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place – respiration as the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism – sensitivity as the ability to detect or sense stimuli in the internal or external environment and to make appropriate responses
- 3. 1.1 Characteristics of living organisms – growth as a permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell number or cell size or both – reproduction as the processes that make more of the same kind of organism – excretion as removal from organisms of the waste products of metabolism (chemical reactions in cells including respiration), toxic materials, and substances in excess of requirements
- 4. 1.1 Characteristics of living organisms – nutrition as taking in of materials for energy, growth and development; plants require light, carbon dioxide, water & ions; animals need organic compounds and ions & usually need water
- 5. 1.2 Concept & use of a Classification system • State that organisms can be classified into groups by the features that they share • Define species as a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring • Define and describe the binomial system of naming species as an internationally agreed system in which the scientific name of an organism is made up of two parts showing the genus and species • Explain that classification systems aim to reflect evolutionary relationships
- 6. 1.2 Concept & use of a Classification system • Explain that classification is traditionally based on studies of morphology and anatomy • Explain that the sequences of bases in DNA and of amino acids in proteins are used as a more accurate means of classification • Explain that organisms which share a more recent ancestor (are more closely related) have base sequences in DNA that are more similar than those that share only a distant ancestor
- 7. 1.3 Features of Organisms • List the features in the cells of all living organisms, limited to cytoplasm, cell membrane, DNA as genetic material, ribosomes for protein synthesis and enzymes involved in respiration • List the main features used to place all organisms into one of the five kingdoms: Animal, Plant, Fungus, Prokaryote, Protoctist • List the features of viruses, limited to protein coat and genetic material
- 8. 1.3 Features of Organisms • List the main features used to place organisms into groups within the animal kingdom, limited to: – the main groups of vertebrates: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish – the main groups of arthropods: myriapods, insects, arachnids, crustaceans • List the main features used to place organisms into groups within the plant kingdom, limited to ferns and flowering plants (dicotyledons and monocotyledons)
- 9. 1.4 Dichotomous Keys • Construct and use simple dichotomous keys based on easily identifiable features