The document discusses the seven characteristics that define life: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition. Each characteristic is briefly explained, such as how movement allows sunflowers to face the sun and animals to find food or shelter. Respiration is defined as the reaction where glucose and oxygen are used to produce energy, carbon dioxide, and water. The characteristics together indicate whether something is alive.

1. MRS GRENMRS GREN
M movementM movement
R respirationR respiration
S sensitivityS sensitivity
G growthG growth
R reproductionR reproduction
E excretionE excretion
N nutritionN nutrition
These 7
characteristics
tell us if
something is
alive

2. MovementMovement
 Sunflowers turn to face theSunflowers turn to face the
sunsun
 Animals move to find foodAnimals move to find food
or shelteror shelter
 Microorganisms can swimMicroorganisms can swim
using cillia or flagella.using cillia or flagella.

3. RespirationRespiration
Glucose + Oxygen Carbon dioxide + Water + ENERGYGlucose + Oxygen Carbon dioxide + Water + ENERGY
This reaction takes place in every cell in every plant andThis reaction takes place in every cell in every plant and
animal……learn it!animal……learn it!

4. SensitivitySensitivity
 This means detecting changes inThis means detecting changes in
your surroundings.your surroundings.
 A venus fly trap detects anA venus fly trap detects an
insect.insect.
 And of course we have ourAnd of course we have our
senses!senses!

5. GrowthGrowth
To be alive we must beTo be alive we must be
able to grow.able to grow.
This oneThis one’s obvious…..we all grow.’s obvious…..we all grow.
Some taller than others!Some taller than others!

6. ReproductionReproduction
We must be able toWe must be able to
make more ofmake more of
ourselves.ourselves.

7. ExcretionExcretion
 A posh word meaning poo!!A posh word meaning poo!!
 A living thing must be able to getA living thing must be able to get
rid of waste.rid of waste.

8. NutritionNutrition
 Living things need theLiving things need the
correct nutrition to keepcorrect nutrition to keep
them healthy and alive.them healthy and alive.