Chapter 18 Biodiversity

Seven Characteristics of Living Things

The 7 Characteristics of Living Things Explanation Example Reproduction Reproduction is the formation of new individuals. Sensitivity The way in which living things respond to their environment. Feeding (Nutrition) Living things need food to survive. Plants make their own food (photosynthesis) Excretion Getting rid of waste products e.g. water from the body

Characteristic Explanation Example Respiration Energy is released from food by respiration Growth All living things grow Movement All living things move including plants

Are they alive?

All living things are made of cells Biodiversity – refers to the huge variety of living things in the world There is enormous variation among living things. Species – a group of individuals that are capable of interbreeding. Exceptions: Liger – cross between a lion and a tiger

Classification of Living Things Classification is where things are organized into particular groups that have something in common with each other. Eg. Books by author in a library. The 5 Kingdoms

Animal Kingdom The animal kingdom is divided into two groups: Vertebrates – animals with a backbone e.g. reptiles, amphibians 2. Invertebrates – animals that do not have a backbone e.g. frogs, earthworms

Key – series of questions or pictures used to identify organisms

Parasites – Organisms that live in/on another organism causing it harm Parasites – Organisms that live in/on another organism causing it harm. There are parasites in all five kingdoms. The Plant Kingdom Plants are producers and make their own food using photosynthesis.

The Plant Kingdom Plants are producers The Plant Kingdom Plants are producers. They make their food by carrying out Photosynthesis using light from the sun.

The Kingdom Fungi Some fungi are microscopic and some are large The Kingdom Fungi Some fungi are microscopic and some are large. Most fungi reproduce using spores. Many fungi are decomposers. Some fungi are parasites and some cause disease.

The Kingdom Protist Most protists are made of a single cell (unicellular) and have a very simple structure. Some need a microscope to see them. Examples: seaweed, algae

The Kingdom Bacteria Biggest kingdom The Kingdom Bacteria Biggest kingdom. Bacteria are single celled organisms. A microscope is needed to see them. Bacteria reproduce by splitting into two. Some bacteria reproduce every 20 minutes. Most bacteria are decomposers and some bacteria cause disease. Bacteria are found everywhere. Bacteria are used to make yogurt.

Microbiology Organisms that are too small to see without a microscope are called microorganisms (microbes) There are three types of micro-organisms Bacteria Fungi Viruses

Bacteria & Disease Infectious diseases are caused by micro-organisms Bacteria & Disease Infectious diseases are caused by micro-organisms. Infectious diseases which can be spread from person to person are called contagious diseases. Diseases can be spread by: sneezing, coughing, Food contamination, door knobs etc. Food Poisoning is caused by bacteria multiplying on food. This could occur because someone touches food with unwashed hands.

Antibiotics They are chemicals produced by fungi that kill bacteria Antibiotics They are chemicals produced by fungi that kill bacteria. Antibiotics are very important in human medicine. Antibiotics do not kill viruses. Some bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics particularly in hospitals i.e. antibiotic resistant bacteria. Viruses Viruses are very small infectious particles that cause disease. They are not made of cells and do not have all the characteristics of living things. E.g. chickenpox, flu virus

Medicines called vaccines have been made to protect us against some most viruses. If you take the vaccine you become immune to the disease. E.g. measles