Introduction to Biology
Biology is the study of living things. Year 7 biology introduces the characteristics of life, the organisation of living systems from cells to ecosystems, and the diversity of life on Earth.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
All living things share seven characteristics: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition (MRSGREN)
Life is organised in levels: atom, molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem
Cells are the basic unit of life; unicellular organisms (e.g. bacteria) are single-celled; multicellular organisms contain many cells
Taxonomy is the classification of organisms into groups based on shared characteristics
Key Vocabulary
Biology
The scientific study of living organisms and life processes
Organism
Any individual living thing
Cell
The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms
Taxonomy
The science of classifying living organisms into groups based on shared characteristics
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT one of the seven characteristics of life (MRSGREN)?
Question 2
What is the correct order of biological organisation from smallest to largest?
Question 3
What distinguishes a unicellular organism from a multicellular organism?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●All living things share seven characteristics: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition (MRSGREN)
- ●Life is organised in levels: atom, molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem
- ●Cells are the basic unit of life; unicellular organisms (e.g. bacteria) are single-celled; multicellular organisms contain many cells
- ●Taxonomy is the classification of organisms into groups based on shared characteristics