d-of-section questions a List six characteristics of all living organisms. b In which three ways do human cells differ from those of plants? c Draw a fully labelled diagram of the structure of a typical (unspecialised) animal cell and describe the function of each part.

Sure, I'd be happy to help you with these biology questions. Let's address each part one by one. --- ### **a. List Six Characteristics of All Living Organisms** All living organisms, whether they are animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, or other life forms, share certain fundamental characteristics. Here are six key characteristics: 1. **Cellular Organization** - **Description:** All living things are composed of one or more cells, which are considered the basic units of life. - **Example:** A human body is made up of trillions of cells, each performing specific functions. 2. **Metabolism** - **Description:** Living organisms carry out chemical reactions that allow them to obtain energy, grow, and maintain their structures. - **Example:** Humans metabolize food to produce energy through processes like digestion and respiration. 3. **Homeostasis** - **Description:** The ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. - **Example:** Humans regulate their body temperature through sweating or shivering. 4. **Growth and Development** - **Description:** Living organisms grow by increasing in size and develop by undergoing changes that lead to a mature form. - **Example:** A seed grows into a mature plant, developing leaves, stems, and roots. 5. **Reproduction** - **Description:** The ability to produce new individual organisms, either sexually or asexually. - **Example:** Humans reproduce through sexual reproduction, involving the combination of sperm and egg cells. 6. **Response to Stimuli** - **Description:** Living organisms can respond to environmental changes or stimuli. - **Example:** Plants bending towards light sources (phototropism) or humans pulling away from a hot surface. --- ### **b. Three Ways Human Cells Differ from Plant Cells** While human cells and plant cells share many similarities as eukaryotic cells, there are distinct differences between them. Here are three key differences: 1. **Presence of a Cell Wall** - **Human Cells:** Do **not** have a cell wall. Instead, they have a flexible plasma membrane that allows various shapes. - **Plant Cells:** Have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose, providing structural support and protection. 2. **Chloroplasts for Photosynthesis** - **Human Cells:** Lack chloroplasts since humans do not perform photosynthesis. - **Plant Cells:** Contain chloroplasts, which house the green pigment chlorophyll to capture light energy for photosynthesis. 3. **Vacuoles** - **Human Cells:** May have small and temporary vacuoles, mainly involved in transport within the cell. - **Plant Cells:** Typically have a large central vacuole that maintains turgor pressure, stores nutrients and waste products, and plays a role in cell growth. --- ### **c. Structure of a Typical (Unspecialised) Animal Cell** While I can't provide a visual diagram here, I can describe the structure and functions of the various parts of a typical unspecialised animal cell. You can use this description to draw a labeled diagram. 1. **Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane)** - **Function:** Surrounds the cell, controlling the entry and exit of substances. It maintains the cell’s integrity and facilitates communication with other cells. 2. **Cytoplasm** - **Function:** A jelly-like substance where all the cell's organelles are suspended. It facilitates the movement of materials around the cell. 3. **Nucleus** - **Function:** Acts as the control center of the cell, containing genetic material (DNA) that regulates all cell activities, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction. 4. **Mitochondria** - **Function:** Known as the powerhouse of the cell, they generate ATP (energy) through cellular respiration, providing energy for the cell’s activities. 5. **Ribosomes** - **Function:** Sites of protein synthesis, where amino acids are assembled into proteins necessary for various cell functions. 6. **Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)** - **Types & Functions:** - **Rough ER:** Studded with ribosomes; involved in protein synthesis and processing. - **Smooth ER:** Lacks ribosomes; involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification processes. 7. **Golgi Apparatus** - **Function:** Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for storage or transport out of the cell. 8. **Lysosomes** - **Function:** Contain digestive enzymes to break down waste materials, cellular debris, and foreign substances. 9. **Centrioles** - **Function:** Play a role in cell division by helping to organize the mitotic spindle fibers that separate chromosomes. 10. **Cytoskeleton** - **Function:** Provides structural support, maintaining the cell's shape. Also involved in intracellular transport and cell movement. 11. **Vacuoles (if present)** - **Function:** Serve as storage bubbles for nutrients, waste products, or other materials. In animal cells, vacuoles are generally smaller compared to plant cells. --- ### **Labelling Your Animal Cell Diagram** When drawing your diagram, ensure to label each part as described above. Here's a suggested layout: 1. **Cell Membrane**: Outline the entire cell. 2. **Nucleus**: A large, central organelle within the cell. 3. **Mitochondria**: Bean-shaped structures scattered in the cytoplasm. 4. **Ribosomes**: Small dots either floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the Rough ER. 5. **Endoplasmic Reticulum**: A network of membranous tubules; distinguish between Rough (with ribosomes) and Smooth ER. 6. **Golgi Apparatus**: A stack of flattened sacs near the nucleus. 7. **Lysosomes**: Small circular structures throughout the cytoplasm. 8. **Centrioles**: Pair of cylindrical structures near the nucleus. 9. **Cytoskeleton**: Represented as a network of fibers throughout the cell. **Tips for Drawing:** - Use clear labels with arrows pointing to each organelle. - Differentiate organelles using shapes (e.g., oval for nucleus, bean-shaped for mitochondria). - Maintain proportional sizes for better accuracy. --- I hope these explanations help you understand the characteristics of living organisms, the differences between human and plant cells, and the structure of a typical animal cell. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!