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7 Characteristics of Living Things (MRS GREN)

All living things show some basic characteristics that non-living materials possess. Something is considered to be alive if it follows all 7 criteria for living creatures

An easy way to remember these characteristics is to use the acronym Mrs Gren (or Mrs Nerg):

  • Movement – they move or change position
  • Respiration – they get energy from their food
  • Sensitivity – they respond to stimuli such as light, sound, temperature
  • Growth – they grow and develop
  • Reproduction – they have the ability to reproduce
  • Excretion – they get rid of waste products
  • Nutrition – they need food for energy

 

A Spider Monkey Example 

  • Movement – the Spider monkey will move in the trees to look for food and avoid predators
  • Respiration – they breathe oxygen and make energy from it’s food
  • Sensitivity – the monkey can see with its eyes, can taste food and hear noise
  • Growth – they grow from being a baby and develop into adults
  • Reproduction – they have the ability to reproduce and have children
  • Excretion – they get rid of waste products via urine and feces
  • Nutrition – they need to eat food regularly for energy

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