Describe four characteristics of living organisms.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) — 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. Movement – living organisms can move all or part of themselves.
2. Respiration – living organisms release energy from nutrients/food.
3. Excretion – living organisms remove waste products of metabolism.
4. Nutrition – living organisms take in nutrients/food for energy or growth.

Examiner tips

  • Use the exact wording from the mark scheme; list each characteristic as a separate point.
  • Include the key terms (movement, respiration, excretion, nutrition).
  • Keep each point concise – no extra explanation needed for full marks.

Common mistakes

  • Using vague terms like ‘life’ or ‘alive’ instead of the specific characteristics.
  • Omitting the word ‘excretion’ or mis‑labeling it as ‘waste removal’ without the term ‘excretion’.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Movement — living organisms can move all or part of themselves
  2. Respiration — living organisms release energy from nutrients / food
  3. Excretion — living organisms remove waste products of metabolism from the body
  4. Any ONE further valid characteristic: nutrition (taking in nutrients / food for energy or growth); sensitivity / responding to stimuli; reproduction (producing offspring); growth (permanent increase in size / dry mass); homeostasis (maintaining a stable internal environment)

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