Name______Class______Date______

Skills Worksheet

Worksheet Section 1-1 Book A

Section: Characteristics of Living Things

Living Things Have Cells

1.The smallest unit that can perform all life processes is called a(n) ______.

2.All living things are composed of one or more ______.

Living Things sense and respond to change

  1. Anything in the environment that causes a reaction or change in an organism is called a(n) ______.

Living Things Reproduce

4.Two parents produce offspring that share their characteristics through ______reproduction.

5.A single parent produces offspring identical to the parent cthrough ______reproduction.

6.Most single-celled organisms reproduce through ______reproduction.

7.Most animals and plants reproduce through ______reproduction.

Living Things Have DNA

_____8.What does DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) do?

a.DNA controls the structure and function of cells.

b.DNA breaks down food in cells.

c.DNA acts as a stimulus in the environment.

d.DNA acts as a preservative in foods.

_____9.What do organisms pass on to their offspring?

a.their cells

b.their DNA

c.copies of their DNA

d.copies of their cells

Match the correct description with the correct term. Write the letter in the space provided.

_____ 10. a change that affects the activity of the organism

_____ 11. reproduction in which the sex cells from two parents unite, producing offspring that share traits from both parents

_____ 12. reproduction that does not involve the union of sex cells and in which one parent produces offspring identical to itself

_____ 13. the passing of traits from one generation to the next

_____ 14. the total of all of the chemical activities that the organism performs

_____ 15. the smallest unit that can perform all life processes

______7. the maintenance of a stable internal

Characteristics of Living Things

Using Key Terms

Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the correct term from the word bank.

cellsstimulus

homeostasismetabolism

16.______Sunlight can be a ______.

17.______Living things are made of ______.

Understanding Key Ideas

______18.Homeostasis means maintaining

a.stable internal conditions.

b.varied internal conditions.

c.similar offspring.

d.varied offspring.

19.Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction.

______

______

20.List the six characteristics of living things.

a.______

b.______

c.______

d.______

e.______

f.______

Math Skills

21.Bacteria double every generation. One bacterium is in the first generation. How many are in the sixth generation?

Critical Thinking

22.Applying Concepts How do you respond to some stimuli in your environment?

______

______

______

______

23.Identifying Relationships What does the fur coat of a bear have to do with homeostasis?

______

______

______

Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.

Holt Science and Technology1It’s Alive!! Or Is It?