State four features that can be used to classify an organism into the Animal kingdom rather than the Plant kingdom.

Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 1.3 Features of organisms · State · 4 marks · View as Markdown

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

Model answer (4 marks)

1. Animal cells lack a cell wall.
2. Animal cells contain no chloroplasts or chlorophyll.
3. Animals ingest and digest food, taking in organic compounds for energy.
4. Animals are multicellular.

Examiner tips

  • Use the exact wording from the mark scheme – e.g. "lack a cell wall" and "no chloroplasts". List the points in the order given to show you have covered all four marks. Keep each point brief and avoid extra explanation.

Common mistakes

  • Writing "animals are eukaryotic" – not a distinguishing feature. Using "animals are motile" – not always true. Omitting the point about lack of chloroplasts or cell wall.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Animal cells do not have a cell wall (whereas plant cells do)
  2. Animal cells do not contain chloroplasts / chlorophyll (whereas plant cells do)
  3. Animals ingest and digest food / take in organic compounds for energy (rather than making their own food by photosynthesis)
  4. Animals are multicellular

Related

More Features of organisms questions

▶ Try answering this question with AI marking (free) →