Characteristics of Organisms
The characteristics of organisms are as follows :
1. Respiration
Respiration is the process of gas exchanging between an organism and its surroundings the purpose of which is to obtain energy. Respiration is divided into two, aerobic and unaerobic respirations.
a. Aerobic respiration
Aerobic respiration is respiration that needs oxygen.
b. Unaerobic respiration
Unaerobic respiration is respiration ehich does not need oxygen.
2. Show irritability (sensitive to stimuli)
Irritability is the ability of an organism to respond to a stimulus in order to adapt itself to changes of the environment. Irritability enables organisms to detect or know changes occuring inside or outside their body and to respond to the changes. The response given usually involves movement.
For example, mimosa (Mimosa pudica) will close its leaves as the respons to a stimulus which is given in the form of a touch.
3. Move
According to biological concept,moving is not determined by change of position. Accordingly, plants also have the ability to move.
We can easily notice the movement made by an animal because the movement involves all its organs and causes a change of position. On the contrary, it is difficult for us to notice the movement of a plant because it only involves some of its organs, that move very slowly and it causes no change of position.
Examples of movements made by plants are the blossoming of a flower and the growth of a short tree that gradually becomes taller.
4. Need food ( nutrition)
Organisms obtain nutrition from their food. Food is needed by an organism to respirate, grow, repair the damaged cells, and reproduce.
The different between animals and plants in obtaining food are as follows :
a. Plants obtain their food by producing food by themselves through photosynthesis process. However, not all plants can photosynthesis size since not all plants have chlorophyll.
b. Animals get their food from the result of the photosynthesis done by plants (food reserve of plants), or from other animals.
Based on the types of food, animals are classified into 3 as follows :
1.) Herbivores → Plants-eating animals.
2.) Carnivores → Flesh-eating animals
3.) Omnivores → Animals that eat plants and other animal
5. Grow and develop
Growth and develop are two processes which are inseparable. Growth is related to the increase of cell number and size, while development is associated with the maturity of the organs of the body. The process of growth and development includes all the processes occuring from the time of fertilization until maturity.
6. Excretion
All organisms undergo metabolism in their body. This process does not only result in substances needed by the body, but also waste matters (excreta). If the waste matters are kept in the body too long, then the balance in the body will be disturbed, even the body may get in toxicated if the waste matters are not disposed of. Therefore, organism always excrete.
The waste matters produced by organism consist of various substances, such as water, salt, toxic substance and nitrogen. To make it run, smoothly, excretion is supported by several excretion organs. For example, protozoa generally use contractile vacuoles as their excretion organ. Vertebrates use their skin, lungs, liver, and kidney as their excretion organs.
7. Reproduction
The purpose of reproduction by organisms is to return or continue their existence to prevent extinction. Reproduction can take place asexually (without sexual fusion) and sexually (with sexual fusion).
In asexual reproduction, an organism ma divide itself and form new individuals which are exactly the same as the parent. In sexual reproduction, however, a new individual is produced only through fusion or combination of genetic information of the parents, so the newly formed individual has combined characteristics of both parents.
