Task Card #1

Copy the following questions into your notebook and answer in complete sentences.

  1. Why can the cell be classified as a system?The cell is classified as a system because it is made of many organelles that work together to perform a particular function.
  1. What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?Sexual reproduction requires a mate, and asexual reproduction has only one parent.
  1. Distinguish between internal stimuli and external stimuli.Internal stimuli are changes that take place within an organism, and external stimuli are changes that take place in the environment surrounding an organism.
  1. What structures carry out the characteristics of life in unicellular organisms?Organelles carry out the characteristics of life in unicellular organisms.
  1. What is homeostasis? Give three examples of homeostasis.Homeostasis is maintaining stable internal conditions. Ex: maintaining a certain temperature, fluid level, blood pressure
  1. What would happen to a plant cell if its chloroplasts were to suddenly stop working? Which characteristic of life would this affect?If the chloroplasts suddenly stopped working, the plant cell would not be able to make its own food. This means it could not produce energy and the cell would die. The characteristic of life this would affect is use of energy and/or homeostasis.

Task Card #2

Copy the chart into your notebook. Determine which characteristic of life is being described.

A cow eats grass / Use of Energy
Karen has a son named Gavin / Reproduction
A cat has a heart, lungs and stomach /
Organization
Mary has grown three inches in the past year / Growth and Development
A baby pulls her hand away from the hot stove / Response to Stimuli
Normal human body temperature is 98.6 ⁰F / Homeostasis

Copy the chart into your notebook. Give an example for each characteristic of life

Organization / An organism has specialized structures that perform specific functions
Growth and Development / An organism grows and changes over its lifetime
Reproduction / An organism creates new organisms
Response the Stimuli (internal or external) / An organism will respond to changes in either its internal or external environment
Homeostasis / An organism will maintain stable internal conditions
Obtaining/Using Energy / An organism will take in nutrients and use them to perform the characteristics of life

Task Card #3

Copy the descriptions into your notebook. Determine which cell organelle is being described.

  1. Stores water, food and waste; the plant cell has a large, water-filled oneVacuole
  2. Controls the functions of the cell; contains DNANucleus
  3. Contains chlorophyll; carries out photosynthesis Chloroplast
  4. Manufactures proteinsRibosome
  5. Controls what enters and leaves the cell; provides protection for the cellCell Membrane
  6. Produces energy for the cell through cellular respirationMitochondrion
  7. Surrounds plant, fungal and bacterial cells to provide extra protection and supportCell Wall