7 Characteristics of LIFE Mrs. MacWilliams Academic Biology Class

7 Characteristics of LIFE OBJECTIVES: 1. List and describe the 7 characteristics of life. 2. Explain the difference between a heterotroph and an autotroph. 3. Use your knowledge of the 7 characteristics of life to determine if an organism is living, dead, non-living (inanimate), or dormant.

Mnemonic Device GO RACER!!!! RACER!!!!

7 Characteristics of LIFE 1. GROWTH Example: Larva (eggs) – maggots – adult flies Monster Inside Me: Botfly

7 Characteristics of LIFE 2. ORGANIZATION  All living things are organized. –This means they are specially designed to perform different life functions.  The smallest level of organization of living things is cells.

7 Characteristics of LIFE 3. REPRODUCTION –Sexual Reproduction  Two cells unite to produce a new organism –Example: Humans (most multi-cellular organisms) –Asexual Reproduction  Single organism can reproduce without the aid of another. –Example: starfish, tapeworms Monster inside of me: Tapeworm

7 Characteristics of LIFE 4. ADAPTATION  Living organisms show adaptations to their surrounding environment. –Humans shiver when it’s cold or put on more clothes –Chameleons change color –Cuttlefish Color Change Cuttlefish Color ChangeCuttlefish Color Change

7 Characteristics of LIFE 5. CELLS Unicellular - made up of only one cell Ex: Protozoan, bacteria Multi-cellular –made up of more than one cell Ex: Humans, cats, plants, fungus Ex: Humans, cats, plants, fungus

7 Characteristics of LIFE 1. Catabolism Breaking down complex substances into simpler substances. Ex: Digestion 2. Anabolism Putting together simple substances to form a complex substance. Ex: Photosynthesis 3. Metabolism The balance of anabolism and catabolism 6. ENERGY USE TYPES OF ENERGY USE

7 Characteristics of LIFE ENERGY USE CONT. TYPES OF FEEDERS 1. Autotroph- An organism that MAKES its own food 2. Heterotroph- An organism that CANNOT MAKE its own organic food; must consume other organisms

7 Characteristics of LIFE 7. RESPOND TO STIMULI -stimulus – a factor that triggers a response Homeostasis the ability to maintain constant or stable conditions necessary for life. Homeostatic mechanism a regulatory mechanism that contributes to maintaining a state of equilibrium  thermoregulation (sweating, shivering), water regulation, O 2 regulation

A few last vocab words 1.Dormant- is not showing all characteristics of life, but could in the future (ex seed). 2.Inanimate- never been alive, never will be (ex. Plastic bottle) 3.Inference- an opinion that is formed from previously known fact 4.Product of a living thing- something that comes out of a living thing (ex honey comes out of a bee).