A young oak tree produces acorns. Each acorn contains a seed that can germinate and grow into a new oak tree. As the oak tree grows, its roots absorb water and mineral ions from the soil, and its leaves produce glucose by photosynthesis. Describe four characteristics of living organisms that the oak tree shows, giving one example from the passage for each characteristic.

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

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

1. Nutrition – the oak tree takes in water and mineral ions through its roots, and uses carbon dioxide and light for photosynthesis.
2. Growth – the tree increases permanently in size, becoming a mature oak.
3. Reproduction – the tree produces acorns that contain seeds which can germinate into new oak trees.
4. Respiration – the glucose produced by photosynthesis is broken down in cells to release energy for metabolism.

Examiner tips

  • Use the exact terms ‘nutrition’, ‘growth’, ‘reproduction’, ‘respiration’.
  • Give one clear example for each, directly from the passage.
  • Keep each point short and to the point.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Nutrition — the oak tree takes in materials needed for growth and energy (e.g. water and mineral ions absorbed by roots, or carbon dioxide/light used in photosynthesis)
  2. Growth — the tree increases permanently in size (e.g. grows into a mature oak tree)
  3. Reproduction — the oak tree makes more organisms of the same kind (e.g. produces acorns containing seeds that germinate into new oak trees)
  4. Respiration — chemical reactions in cells release energy from glucose (e.g. glucose produced by photosynthesis is broken down to release energy for metabolism)

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