Characteristics of Living Things Study of Biology

Characteristics of Living Things Living things share the following characteristics: made up of units called cells reproduce based on a universal genetic code grow and develop obtain and use materials and energy respond to their environment maintain a stable internal environment change over time Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Interdependence in Nature All forms of life on Earth are connected together into a biosphere, which literally means “living planet.” Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Big Ideas in Biology Cellular Basis of Life Organisms are composed of one or more cells, which are the smallest units that can be considered fully alive. Unicellular – one cell ex: Bacteria Multicellular – many cells ex: humans, trees, mushrooms Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Unity and Diversity of Life Big Ideas in Biology Unity and Diversity of Life All living things are fundamentally alike at the molecular level, even though life takes an almost unbelievable variety of forms. Reproduction – come from existing life Asexual reproduction – without use of sex cells, produces genetic clones – budding, binary fission Ex: bacteria Sexual reproduction – with use of sex cells – produces genetic variation Ex: Humans, trees Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Grow & develop

Has a genetic code Genetic code is common, with minor variations, to every organism on Earth. That information, carried in DNA, is copied and passed from parents to offspring. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Evolution In biology, evolution, or the change in living things through time, explains inherited similarities as well as the diversity of life. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Order – life has structure Atoms Molecules Organelle Cells Tissues Organs Organ systems Organisms Populations Communities Biomes (ecosystems) The Biosphere

Metabolism – sum of all chemical reactions in the body Matter and Energy Matter serves as nutrients to build body structure and energy to fuel the processes of life. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Irritability – respond to stimuli

Homeostasis An organism’s ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment. Ex: temperature, sugar, pH Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Levels of Organization

Atoms the basic unit of matter Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Molecules Groups of atoms; smallest unit of most chemical compounds Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things. Water DNA

Cells Smallest functional unit of life Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things. Nerve cell

Groups of Cells Tissues, organs, and organ systems Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things. Nervous tissue Brain Nervous system

Organism Individual living thing Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things. Bison

Population Group of organisms of one type that live in the same area Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things. Bison herd

Community Populations that live together in a defined area Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things. Hawk, snake, bison, prairie dog, grass

Biome (Ecosystem) Community and its nonliving surroundings Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things. Hawk, snake, bison, prairie dog, grass, stream, rocks, air

Biosphere The part of Earth that contains all ecosystems Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.

Identify which characteristics are shared by ALL living things Identify which characteristics are shared by ALL living things. Write Y if they are or N if they are not ____ 1. share a universal code ____ 2. are able to make their own food ____ 3. are made of one or more cells ____ 4. are made of protein ____ 5. must use the energy from something else ____ 6. are able to respond to changes in the environment ____ 7. need to breathe oxygen ____ 8. maintain a fairly stable internal environment