Edexcel IGCSE Biology topic guide
Nature and variety of living organisms questions
Recognise what living things have in common and use their differences to classify the major groups of organisms.
The nature and variety of living organisms topic overview
The nature and variety of living organisms introduces the characteristics shared by living things and the features used to classify animals, plants, fungi, protoctists, bacteria and viruses.
Start by identifying the type of organism or life process in the question, then use precise biological features and named examples to justify each classification or comparison.
Question types in the nature and variety of living organisms
- Recall and application questions about the characteristics of living organisms.
- Comparisons of animal, plant, fungal, protoctist and bacterial cells or organisms.
- Classification questions using visible structures, cellular organisation and modes of nutrition.
- Questions about pathogens and the differences between viruses and cellular organisms.
The nature and variety of living organisms subtopics
Choose a subtopic for its syllabus points, answering guidance and worked exam questions.
1.a Characteristics of living organisms
The shared processes of nutrition, respiration, excretion, response, movement, control, reproduction and growth.
1.b Variety of living organisms
Plants, animals, fungi, protoctists, bacteria and viruses: their structures, nutrition and distinguishing features.