Characteristics of Life Week of September 19, 2016

Characteristics of life 1. Made up of Cells:    A cell is the smallest unit of structure and function in something that is alive.  Even an organism made up of only one cell still meets the criteria for being a living thing.  Cells are extremely tiny, and cannot be seen by the unaided human eye.  2. Movement: Some organisms move in a very obvious way, such as a running animal or a sprouting seed.  Other living things move in a way that is more difficult to detect.  Technological devices, such as a microscope or camera, may be needed over a long period of time to be able to observe movement. 

Characteristics of life –Continued 3. Use energy or Can get energy from a source    Living things use energy within their cells. This energy powers all kinds of processes, such as reproduction, growth, or body temperature regulation.  Some living things take in nutrients, such as eating food or absorbing materials through roots or a cell membrane. Other living things get energy from the sun. 4. Growth and Development:  A baby develops in a mother's womb. At first, it looks like just a mass of cells, but over time the head, limbs, and specific organs form and grow.  Likewise, a seed begins its life just under the soil and, over time, forms into a plant and grows up through the soil towards the sun. 

Characteristics of life –Continued 5. Ability to Reproduce Reproduction is the passing on of genetic information to a new generation.  Sexual reproduction is when DNA from two separate organisms combines to form a unique new individual.  Asexual reproduction, meaning they make an identical copy of their DNA, carries genetic instructions that help create a new living form.  Ex:  single celled organism splitting into two  Ex:  a mold sending spores out into the surrounding area.  6. Respond to Stimuli Many experiments have been done with plants to show how they grow towards light, also known as phototropism.  This special ability allows the plant to maximize sunlight exposure necessary for growth. Some responses are easy to observe, such as the pupil of an eye that constricts when a light is shone into it. 

Response to Stimuli - Continued Some adaptations can take a short amount of time http://video.nationalgeographic.c om/video/yosemite- overview?source=relatedvideo Some adaptations take a significant amount of time

ADDITIONAL PRACTICE – Please use the following slides for additional practice characterizing living things  

ALIVE or NOT ALIVE? How can you support your Answer...

Alive or Not Alive?

Alive or Not Alive?

Alive or Not Alive? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze8NV7cvW8k

Alive or Not Alive? Hint – Not the crazy surfers!

Alive or Not Alive? What's this an example of?

Alive or Not Alive?

Alive or Not Alive?

Alive or Not Alive? Can you find the bird? Notice the camouflage

Alive or Not Alive? ZIKA Virus