1.1.3

G.R.E.N.C.

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Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition and Control

GRENC are five characteristics of all living organisms:

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Growth

  • Growth is a permanent increase in size and dry mass (without including the water in the organism) by an increase in cell number or cell size or both.
  • For example, a puppy will grow very rapidly in its first few months and will never return to its original tiny size.
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Reproduction

  • Reproduction is the processes that make more of the same kind of organism.
  • For example, bacterial cells can split in two to make two bacterial cells.
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Excretion

  • Excretion is the removal from organisms of waste products from metabolism, toxic materials, and substances which are in excess of requirements.
  • For example, oxygen is a waste product made by plants, and it leaves the plant through its leaves.
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Nutrition

  • Nutrition is the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development.
  • For example, plants take in light, water and carbon dioxide, and animals need organic compounds and water.
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Control

  • Organisms are in control of their internal environments.
  • Keeping internal conditions (such as temperature) the same is known as homeostasis.

Jump to other topics

1The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms

2Structure & Functions in Living Organisms

3Organism Functions

3.1Respiration

3.2Gas Exchange

3.3Transport

3.4Excretion

3.5Coordination & Response

4Reproduction & Inheritance

5Ecology

6Biological Resources

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