# A dog pants heavily after running. Explain how panting after exercise demonstrates four different characteristics of living organisms.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) — 1.1 Characteristics of living organisms · Explain · 4 marks

> A dog runs for several minutes and then stops. It pants heavily, its sides rise and fall rapidly, it produces large amounts of heat, and it moves away to find water to drink.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Panting increases gas exchange / removal of carbon dioxide, demonstrating excretion (removal of waste products of metabolism from the body)
2. The dog's sides rising and falling show movement (an action by an organism causing a change in position or place)
3. The dog produces heat / uses energy during exercise, demonstrating respiration (the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy)
4. The dog moving away to find water in response to thirst shows sensitivity (the ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-dog-pants-heavily-after-running-51225e58) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.