Characteristics of Life Ms. Brentzel

WARM UP What does it mean to be living? List 5 different things you see in the room you think are living (BIOTIC)… List 5 different things in the room you think are non living (ABIOTIC)…

Biology—the science of life Chapter 1 The Study of Life 1.1 Introduction to Biology Biology—the science of life Study the origins and history of life and once-living things Study the structures of living things Study how living things interact with one another Study how living things function

Study the diversity of life Chapter 1 The Study of Life 1.1 Introduction to Biology What do biologists do? Study the diversity of life Research diseases Develop technologies Improve agriculture Preserve the environment

Organism – after many observations, and through much research scientists concluded that all LIVING organisms would exhibit eight characteristics. These are the Characteristics of life…..

Characteristic 1 Made of one or more cells http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streptococcus Cells are the basic unit of life They can be multi-cellular such as human cell or unicellular like a bacteria cell. Strep throat Bacteria – living organism Human – Living organism

Characteristic 2 Displays organization Arranged in an orderly way is organization The organism whether unicellular (one cell) or multi-cellular (many cells) are organized based on different structures within each of the cells that have specific roles and functions.

Characteristic 3 Grows and Develops kathyskritters.com Growth is an addition of mass to the organism, forming new cells and structures Throughout time the organism advances in these structures, thus becoming developed. Example - birds

Characteristic 4 Reproduces Organism reproduces and passes along traits form one generation to the next.

Characteristic 5 Responds to stimuli Organism have external environments (all the things that’s surround it – air, land, water, soil, etc.) Anything that is part of the organism’s environment and causes a reaction from the organism is a stimulus

Characteristic 6 Requires energy Energy fuels life! Energy comes from food, unicellular and plants use the sun to make their own food. Organisms that cannot make their own food must consume other organisms.

Characteristic 7 Maintains Homeostasis Homeostasis- regulation of internal conditions Ex- sweating Any disruptions in homeostasis, and not restored death may occur

Characteristic 8 Adoptions evolve over time An inherited characteristics that results in changes to a species over time, this is an adaptation

Exit Slip Looking at our list on the board… pick one living item and justify using the 8 characteristics of life how it is a living (BIOTIC) organism. Use complete sentences!!