The following table shows the characteristics of living organisms that sets life apart from non living matter. Select the letter beside the most appropriate answer from the list below to complete the table. Each blank has only one best answer and all letters do not have to be used.
| Characteristic | Definition | Example | |
| 1. | k | organized structure from simple molecules to complex ecosystems |
d |
| 2. | s | q | division of a streptococcus bacteria into two cells |
| 3. | a | increase in size and complexity of individual organisms |
m |
| 4. | f | p | Pliohippus to Hippidion in one region and in another region to Equus (modern horse) |
| 5. | information transfer | g | r |
| 6. | u | response to environmental stimulus |
i |
| 7. | o | obtaining material and energy from the environment and converting them to different forms |
b |
(a) growth and development
(b) photosynthesis
(c) swelling of potato-tuber strips in a hypotonic solution
(d) biological keys such as the "Molluscs of the North Atlantic"
(e) senescence
(f) evolution
(g) transfer of control factors from cell to cell or within the same cell
(h) mating of a horse and donkey
(i) single-celled algae rising to the surface of a pond during the day and sinking at night
(j) electrical signal running along a wire
(k) hierarchical organization
(l) increase in resistance of pneumonia bacteria to penicillin
(m) growth of a baby through childhood to old age
(n) classification of rocks as sedimentary, metamorphic or igneous
(o) metabolism
(p) one species giving rise to a different species
(q) duplication of individuals of the same species
(r) homeostasis such as in warm blooded animals when body temperature is kept constant
(s) reproduction
(t) change of energy state from chemical to kinetic
(u) sensitivity