Question

question #18
if you were to conduct an investigation to determine if an organism is a plant or an animal, which characteristic could be used to distinguish between the two?
a whether the organism is unicellular or multicellular
b whether or not the organism is made of cells
c whether or not the organism responds to the environment
d whether or not the organism makes its own food or takes food in

Explanation:

• Option A: Both plants and animals can be multicellular. There are no unicellular plants, but some unicellular organisms are not animals (e.g., bacteria). So this is not a distinguishing feature.
• Option B: All plants and animals are made of cells (cell theory). So this cannot distinguish them.
• Option C: Both plants (e.g., a plant growing towards light - phototropism) and animals (e.g., a dog running away from a loud noise) respond to the environment. So this is not a distinguishing feature.
• Option D: Plants (autotrophs) make their own food through photosynthesis. Animals (heterotrophs) take in food. This is a key distinguishing characteristic.

Answer:

D. whether or not the organism makes its own food or takes food in