Stephen Reinbold has a PhD in Biological Sciences and a strong passion for teaching. He taught various subjects including General Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Genetics, and Anatomy & Physiology at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly thirty years. He focused on scientific methodology and student research projects. Now retired, he works part-time as an editor and engages in online activities.
, PhD (Biological Sciences)
Approved & Edited byProProfs Editorial Team
The editorial team at ProProfs Quizzes consists of a select group of subject experts, trivia writers, and quiz masters who have authored over 10,000 quizzes taken by more than 100 million users. This team includes our in-house seasoned quiz moderators and subject matter experts. Our editorial experts, spread across the world, are rigorously trained using our comprehensive guidelines to ensure that you receive the highest quality quizzes.
This is a comprehensive quiz containing questions and answers on the characteristics of living things. Living things are all the plants and animals found on earth. They rely on each other to maintain life. Some of the common characteristics they have with each other are their ability to respond to the environment they exist in, grow, breathe, and reproduce. By taking this quiz, you will get to refresh your memory on the rest of them. How about you give it a shot? Let's go!
Questions and Answers
1.
All matter can be considered living or non-living.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation This statement is correct (if it has to be either one or the other). Matter can be classified as living or non-living based on its ability to exhibit life processes such as growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. However, not all matter can be considered living. Non-living matter includes substances like rocks, water, and air, which do not possess the characteristics of living organisms.
Rate this question:
2.
Living things are made by non-living things.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation Living things are not made by non-living things. Instead, living things are formed through biological processes such as reproduction, where living organisms give rise to new individuals of the same species. Non-living things, on the other hand, do not possess the ability to reproduce or give rise to living organisms. Therefore, the statement that living things are made by non-living things is false.
Rate this question:
3.
Living things rely on other living things to stay alive.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation Living things rely on other living things to stay alive because they are interconnected in various ways. For example, plants rely on sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil, as well as pollinators for reproduction. Animals rely on plants for food and oxygen, and some animals rely on other animals for food. This interdependence ensures the balance of ecosystems and the survival of different species. Therefore, it is true that living things depend on each other to meet their basic needs and sustain life.
Rate this question:
4.
Jon noticed that a certain object can move but it cannot feed. Therefore the object is living.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation The given statement is false because the ability to move alone does not determine if an object is living. Living organisms have various characteristics, including the ability to grow, reproduce, respond to stimuli, and obtain and use energy. The fact that the object cannot feed suggests that it lacks the ability to obtain and use energy, which is a fundamental characteristic of living organisms. Therefore, the object is most likely non-living.
Rate this question:
5.
What is the genetic material found in living cells?
A.
DNA
B.
RNA
C.
Protein
D.
Carbohydrate
Correct Answer
A. DNA
Explanation DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the genetic material that carries the hereditary information in living cells and is responsible for transmitting genetic traits from one generation to the next.
Rate this question:
6.
The following is/are characteristic(s) of living things.
A.
Feeding, movement, evaporation
B.
Feeding, Respiration, movement
C.
Respiration, movement,evaporation
Correct Answer
B. Feeding, Respiration, movement
Explanation Feeding, respiration, and movement are characteristics of living things because they are essential for the survival and functioning of organisms. Feeding refers to the intake of nutrients and energy required for growth and maintenance. Respiration is the process by which organisms obtain energy from the breakdown of nutrients. Movement allows organisms to interact with their environment, find food, escape predators, and reproduce. Evaporation, on the other hand, is a physical process that occurs in both living and non-living things and is not specific to living organisms.
Rate this question:
7.
Another word for living things is:
A.
Organ
B.
Organism
C.
Organelle
Correct Answer
B. Organism
Explanation Living things are commonly referred to as organisms. An organism is a complete individual that exhibits all the characteristics of life, such as growth, reproduction, metabolism, and response to stimuli. It can be a single-celled organism, like bacteria, or a multicellular organism, like plants, animals, or humans. The term "organism" encompasses all living entities, making it synonymous with "living things."
Rate this question:
8.
To be considered alive an object must have:
A.
At least one charchteristic of living things
B.
Most characteristics of living things
C.
All the characteristics of living things.
Correct Answer
C. All the characteristics of living things.
Explanation To be considered alive, an object must have all the characteristics of living things. These characteristics typically include the ability to grow, reproduce, respond to the environment, adapt to the environment, and metabolize energy. If an object lacks any of these characteristics, it is generally not considered to be a living organism. So, the correct answer is all the characteristics of living things.
Rate this question:
9.
If observed under a microscope it will be noticed that:
A.
Both living and non-living things are made up of cells
B.
Only non-living things are made up of cells
C.
Only living things are made up of cells
Correct Answer
C. Only living things are made up of cells
Explanation Living things are made up of cells because cells are the basic structural and functional units of all living organisms. Cells carry out essential processes such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Non-living things, on the other hand, do not possess cells and therefore cannot perform these vital functions.
Rate this question:
10.
There are _____________ main types of living things.
A.
Two
B.
Three
C.
Four
Correct Answer
B. Three
Explanation The three main types of living things, often referred to as the three domains of life, are:
Bacteria (Prokaryotes): Single-celled microorganisms without a nucleus.
Archaea (Prokaryotes): Single-celled microorganisms similar to bacteria but with distinct genetic and biochemical characteristics.
Eukarya (Eukaryotes): Organisms with cells that contain a nucleus, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
These three domains represent the major categories into which all known living things can be classified.
Rate this question:
Stephen Reinbold |PhD (Biological Sciences)|
Biology Instructor
Stephen Reinbold has a PhD in Biological Sciences and a strong passion for teaching. He taught various subjects including General Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Genetics, and Anatomy & Physiology at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly thirty years. He focused on scientific methodology and student research projects. Now retired, he works part-time as an editor and engages in online activities.
Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.