Question

1. List and describe the five kingdoms of life. Who developed this system? What is the basis for the divisions? Why is it important to the study of biology?

2. List and briefly describe in your own words the common characteristics of living things?

3. Describe the term biosphere. How do we divide the types of biospheres?

4. Explain the difference between adaptation and growth and development.

5. Write a micro-theme (a short 100-300 word essay) on the importance of the study of biology.

Answer 1

1. The five kingdoms of life are Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. This system was developed by Robert Whittaker. The divisions are based on the organism's cell type (prokaryotic or eukaryotic), cellular organization (unicellular or multicellular), mode of nutrition (autotrophic or heterotrophic), and other characteristics. This classification is crucial in biology because it helps scientists organize and understand the diversity of life on Earth, aiding in the identification, study, and conservation of various species.

2. The common characteristics of living things include organization (having one or more cells), growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis (maintaining internal balance), and metabolism (the chemical processes that sustain life).

3. The biosphere refers to the global sum of all ecosystems and includes all living organisms and their interactions with each other and the environment. The biosphere is divided into terrestrial (land-based) and aquatic (water-based) ecosystems, further subdivided into various biomes such as forests, deserts, oceans, and freshwater ecosystems.

4. Adaptation refers to the process by which organisms evolve traits that enhance their survival and reproduction in a specific environment. Growth and development, on the other hand, involve an increase in size and complexity, accompanied by changes in form and function as an organism matures.

5. The study of biology is crucial as it unravels the mysteries of life, providing insights into the workings of living organisms, their relationships, and the natural world. Biology informs medical advancements, environmental conservation, agriculture, and biotechnology. By understanding how life functions at cellular, genetic, and ecological levels, biology offers solutions to global challenges like disease, food security, and climate change. Exploring the diversity of life deepens our appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things and helps us make informed decisions to ensure a sustainable and thriving planet for current and future generations.
Hope it helps!

Answer 2

1.

animal kingdom: a basic group of natural objects that includes all living and extinct animals compare mineral kingdom, plant kingdom. 2.plant kingdom: Mosses, ferns, conifers, and flowering plants are all members of the plant kingdom. The plant kingdom contains mostly photosynthetic organisms; a few parasitic forms have lost the ability to photosynthesize. The process of photosynthesis uses chlorophyll, which is located in organelles called chloroplasts. 3. Fungi kingdom: Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that include microorganisms such as yeasts, moulds and mushrooms. These organisms are classified under kingdom fungi. The organisms found in Kingdom fungi contain a cell wall and are omnipresent. They are classified as heterotrophs among the living organisms. 4. protist kingdom: The protist kingdom is a classification that includes a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms. Typically, protists reproduce asexually via mitosis and range from unicellular to multicellular organisms. 5. monera kingdom: Subsequently, the phylum was elevated to the rank of kingdom in 1925 by Édouard Chatton. kingdom that is made up of prokaryotes. As such, it is composed of single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus. Monerans are very useful organisms. They enrich the soil and serve as an important part of the nitrogen cycle. They are also helpful in the production of some food items and antibiotics. Methanogens play an important role in the treatment of sewage.

2.

Respiration: It is a process by which living organisms intake oxygen from the air and expel carbon dioxide out. The process causes the breakdown of glucose into energy molecules.
Catabolism: The process by which storage molecules like fats, carbohydrates, and proteins are broken down into simpler molecules like fatty acids, glucose, and amino acids to release energy respectively is called catabolism.
Anabolism: The process by which simple molecules are assimilated into bigger molecules to store energy is called anabolism. It is the reverse of catabolism.
Locomotion: It is the movement of organisms from one place to another with the help of locomotive parts like legs or feet or wings.
Reproduction: It is the process of the generation of offspring with similar qualities of phenotypic and genotypic traits.
Digestion: It is the process of breaking down the ingested food material into simpler molecules to release energy for routine activities or to store them in the form of excess energy.
Excretion: It is the process of elimination of unwanted matter from the body in the form of fecal matter and urine.
Response to stimuli: There are five types of external stimuli according to our senses: touch (pressure/movement), vision (light), hearing (sound), smell (chemical), and taste (chemical). This ability to react to an external factor is called response to stimuli. Eg Mimosa plant.
Adaptation: According to Darwin's theory, it's always the survival of the fittest. An organism can change to adjust to its immediate habitat.
Growth: The development of an organism starts from the zygote, blastocyte, embryo, or fetus to a fully developed organism. The cells divide and grow structurally and functionally called the process of growth.
Homeostasis: The body maintains a balance of fluids or equilibrium to function properly, and this is called homeostasis. For example thermoregulation, blood glucose regulation, and bar reflex in blood pressure.
Regulation
Circulation: It is the process of flow of oxygenated blood from the lungs to different parts of the body and deoxygenated blood from tissues to the lungs.

3.

The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists all ecosystems. The large biosphere is divided into large parts of biomes. Scientists classified biomes into five different types: tundra, grassland, forests, deserts, and aquatic biomes. Rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, and other aqueous habitats are inhabited by a large diversity of plants and animals.

4.

adaptation are genetic changes in the species over generations whereas growth and development happens to one animal in it's lifetime