# A desert cactus lives in a hot, dry environment. During the day, temperatures rise sharply and the cactus receives intense sunlight. At night, temperatures drop rapidly. Describe four characteristics of living organisms that the cactus would carry out.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 1.1 Characteristics of living organisms · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The cactus carries out nutrition / takes in materials needed for growth and energy
2. The cactus carries out respiration — chemical reactions in cells that release energy from nutrient molecules
3. The cactus shows sensitivity — detects changes in its environment and responds to them
4. The cactus carries out excretion — removes waste products of metabolism from the organism

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