Study Guide – Characteristics of Living Things & Viruses
1. What are the 6 characteristics of living things? Are made up of Cells, Grow & Develop, Respond to
the Environment, Reproduce, Use Energy, & Exchange Gases
2. The total of all chemical reactions in an organism is known as metabolism.
3. The process by which an organism responds to its internal or external environment to maintain a
balance or “steady-state” is known as homeostasis.
4. Your body maintains an internal temperature. This is an example of homeostasis.
Another example would be maintaining a balance of water.
5. Which life characteristic is represented in the diagram below? Exchange of Gases
6. An organism increases in size by producing new cells. Which characteristic of living things is
occurring? Growth & Development
7. Which life characteristic is represented by body functions such as digestion, breathing, and
excretion (removal of waste)? Use Energy
8. How many parents are involved in asexual reproduction? 1 Sexual reproduction? 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. In Latin, the word “virus” means Toxin or Poison.
2. The study of viruses is called virology.
3. Scientists who study viruses are called virologists.
4. How many types of viruses exist? List and describe the types. 3 Types:
Type 1 = Animal Viruses – Viruses that only attack animals
Type 2 = Plant Viruses – Viruses that only attack plants
Type 3 = Bacterial Viruses – Viruses that only attack bacteria
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How do scientists group viruses? By the type of cell the virus attacks.
What is meant by “host specificity?” Individual viruses will only attack a certain type of cell
Give an example of an animal virus. Chicken pox
Give an example of a plant virus. TMV (Tobacco Mosaic Virus)
Give an example of a bacterial virus. T4 Bacteriophage
10. What are the 3 general shapes of viruses? Helical or Rod, Spherical, & Complex
11. What are the 2 structures found on every virus? Capsid & Genetic Information
12. Label the structures on the virus below.
1 = Genetic Information
2 = Capsid
3 = Tail Fibers
13. In the diagram above, which structure aids in attachment? #3 – Tail Fibers
14. In the diagram above, which structure protects the genetic information? #2 - Capsid
15. In the diagram above, what is structure #2 made of? Protein
16. Describe ways by which viruses spread. Water droplets, Insects, & Direct Blood Contact or Other
Bodily Excretion
17. Decide if the following viruses spread by water droplets (W), insects (I), or blood (B):
___W__ Cold
___B__ HIV
_B & W_ Polio
___W__ Flu
_B & W_ Hepatitis
___I__ Yellow Fever
___B__ Herpes
18. Examine the viral pictures below. Identify the viruses.
Ebola
Influenza
19. Decide if the following statements are TRUE or FALSE for viruses.
___FALSE__ Are made of cells
___FALSE__ Exchange gases
___TRUE___ Contain genetic information
___TRUE___ Contain a protein coat
___FALSE__ Grow
___FALSE__ Respond to stimuli
___TRUE___ Can only reproduce with a host
___TRUE___ Contain DNA, RNA, or both
20. Do you think viruses are living or non-living organisms? Answers will vary – Students must use their
knowledge of characteristics of living things in comparison to the characteristics of viruses