The Characteristics of Life
The Characteristics of Life History: Spontaneous Generation or Abiogenesis- 1st proposed by Aristotle held that complex, living organisms are generated by decaying organic substances, e.g. that mice spontaneously appear in stored grain or maggots spontaneously appear in meat.
The Characteristics of Life History: Was widely believed until the 19th century. Several scientists performed experiments that disproved spontaneous generation Francisco Redi Lazzaro Spallanzani Louis Pasteur
Redi’s Experiment Francisco Redi 1668
Spallanzani’s Experiment Lazzaro Spallanzani 1746
Pasteur’s Experiment Louis Pasteur 1859
The Characteristics of Life History: Biogenesis- is the process of life forms producing other life forms e.g. a spider lays eggs, which form into spiders. The term is also used for the assertion that life can only be passed on by living things.
The Characteristics of Life How can you tell if something is alive?
The Characteristics of Life Biologists have devised a list of 5 characteristics that define life. Something can be considered alive ONLY if it displays ALL 5 of the characteristics.
The Characteristics of Life Anything that possesses all 5 of the characteristics of life is called an organism.
The 5 characteristics of life are: Cellular Organization celltissueorgansystemorganism 2. Growth & Development 3. Reproduction 4. Adaptation to environment – response to a stimulus 5. Maintenance of Homeostasis
The Characteristics of Life Organization: All living organisms have an organized structure Ex. -Cells form tissues -Tissues form organs -Organs form organ systems
The Characteristics of Life Growth & Development: All living organisms grow and develop during their life spans.
The Characteristics of Life Growth: an increase in the size of an organism due to an increase in the size and number of cells Development: all of the changes that take place throughout the life span of an organism
The Characteristics of Life Reproduction: All living organisms are able to produce live offspring.
The Characteristics of Life Adaptation to environment: All living organisms are able to adapt to their surroundings. They are able to react, or respond to an environmental condition, or stimulus.
The Characteristics of Life Maintenance of Homeostasis: All living organisms are able to maintain a relatively constant internal environment. Homeostasis: The regulation of an organism’s internal environment to maintain conditions suitable for life.
The Characteristics of Life Are bacteria alive? How about viruses?
Additional Characteristics 6. Require energy 7. Change over time or Evolve 8. Contain DNA
All living things require Energy AUTOTROPH: produce own food HETEROTROPH: must consume food
All living things change over time adapt to long-range changes in environment to better survive in environment these changes take place over a long period of time & involve the entire species
All living things contain DNA inheritance of traits is carried on DNA Living things are base on the genetic code
Living or Not??
Living or Not??
Living or Not??
Living or Not??
Living or Not??
Living or Not??
Living or Not??
Living or Not??
You eat a hamburger for lunch. A. Adapt D. genetic code G. Respond to stimulus B. Made of cells E. Grow and develop H. Homeostasis C. Reproduce F. Use/need energy You eat a hamburger for lunch. A baby gains 3 pounds in one week and begins to recognize voices. A polar bear has white fur to blend in with the snow. Your start to cry whenever you get a shot at the doctor’s office. You begin to shiver because it is cold outside. Red and white particles make up part of your blood. A chick breaks out of an egg.