# A giant tortoise moves slowly across the ground to find food. It grows throughout its life and can live for over 150 years. Explain why a giant tortoise is classified as a living organism by describing four characteristics of living organisms that it would show.

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

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The tortoise carries out nutrition / takes in food / ingests organic compounds for energy, growth or repair
2. The tortoise respires / breaks down nutrient molecules in cells to release energy for metabolism
3. The tortoise shows growth / permanent increase in size or dry mass throughout its life
4. The tortoise reproduces / produces more tortoises of the same kind OR excretes / removes waste products of metabolism

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
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