# A scientist observes a Venus flytrap plant. When an insect lands on one of its leaves, the leaf snaps shut rapidly, trapping the insect. The plant then secretes digestive enzymes onto the insect and absorbs the digested products. Explain how the behaviour of the Venus flytrap demonstrates four characteristics of living organisms.

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

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The leaf snapping shut in response to the insect landing demonstrates sensitivity / response to a stimulus
2. Secreting digestive enzymes onto the insect and absorbing the products demonstrates nutrition
3. The plant secreting digestive enzymes outside the cell and absorbing the digested products demonstrates excretion (of waste products of metabolism) OR can be credited as saprotrophic / extracellular nutrition
4. The plant carrying out photosynthesis / requiring energy to grow and function demonstrates respiration OR growth (plant increases in size / biomass over time using absorbed nutrients)

## 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)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-scientist-observes-a-venus-flytrap-41ae57cf) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.