Living Being (Concept) MCQs Quiz | Class 10
Class X Science (Code 086), Unit II: World of Living. This quiz focuses on “Living Being (Concept)” covering characteristics of living organisms and their basic distinction from non-living things. Attempt all 10 multiple-choice questions, then submit to view your score and download a detailed answer PDF for future revision.
Understanding Living Beings: A Comprehensive Guide
The world around us is filled with an incredible diversity of life, from the smallest bacteria to the largest whales. But what exactly defines something as ‘living’? This section explores the fundamental characteristics that distinguish living organisms from non-living matter, providing a basic framework for understanding biology.
Key Characteristics of Living Organisms
While there isn’t a single defining feature, a combination of characteristics helps us classify something as alive:
- Cellular Organization: All living organisms are made up of one or more cells. Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life. Non-living things lack this fundamental organization.
- Metabolism: This refers to the sum total of all chemical reactions occurring within an organism. It includes anabolism (building up complex substances) and catabolism (breaking down complex substances) to obtain and use energy. Non-living things do not exhibit metabolic processes.
- Growth and Development: Living organisms grow internally by increasing in mass and cell number. They also undergo development, which involves an increase in complexity and specialization over their lifespan. Non-living things may grow by accretion (adding material externally, like a crystal) but not by internal means or development.
- Reproduction: The ability of living organisms to produce offspring of their own kind, ensuring the continuation of their species. This can be asexual (one parent) or sexual (two parents). Non-living things cannot reproduce.
- Response to Stimuli (Irritability): Living beings can sense and react to changes in their environment (stimuli). For example, plants bend towards light, and animals react to touch or sound. Non-living objects do not inherently respond to stimuli in a biological sense.
- Homeostasis: The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. This includes regulating temperature, pH, and water balance. Non-living systems do not actively maintain an internal balance.
- Adaptation and Evolution: Living organisms have the capacity to adapt to their environment over generations, leading to evolutionary changes that enhance their survival. Non-living things do not adapt or evolve biologically.
Distinction: Living vs. Non-Living
Here’s a quick comparison to highlight the key differences:
| Characteristic | Living Organisms | Non-Living Things |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular Structure | Present (cells are basic units) | Absent |
| Metabolism | Present (anabolism + catabolism) | Absent |
| Growth | Internal (by cell division/enlargement) | External (by accretion) |
| Reproduction | Present (produce offspring) | Absent |
| Response to Stimuli | Present (react to environmental changes) | Absent |
| Homeostasis | Present (maintain internal stability) | Absent |
| Adaptation | Present (evolve over time) | Absent |
Quick Revision Points
- Living things are characterized by cellular organization, metabolism, growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, and adaptation.
- Cells are the fundamental units of life.
- Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions.
- Growth in living beings is internal, while in non-living things it’s external (accretion).
- Reproduction ensures the continuity of life.
- Homeostasis is crucial for maintaining a stable internal state.
Extra Practice Questions
- Which characteristic describes the ability of a plant to grow towards sunlight?
- A car moving uses fuel, but is it considered living? Explain why or why not based on characteristics of life.
- What is the primary difference between how a snowflake grows and how a human child grows?
- If an object cannot produce offspring, is it necessarily non-living? Give an example.
- Define metabolism and explain its two main components.
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