Characteristics of Life 2015-16

Characteristics of Life Cellular Organization Responsiveness Reproduction Metabolism Heredity (and Evolve!) Homeostasis Growth and Development An object must possess ALL of the characteristics of life (not just some) to be considered LIVING! Yesterday you should have observed and discussed characteristics of your earthworms and gummy worms. Some of these characteristics include…

Earth Worm vs Gummy Worm Made of cells? Reproduce? Metabolize? Homeostasis? Heredity (pass on traits)? Respond to stimulus? Grows and Develops?

Made of Cells (cells are basic components of Living things) All organisms are made of one (unicellular) or more cells (multicellular) Cells are the basic units of structure and function of all living things. Cells are the smallest structural unit of living organisms, capable of maintaining life and reproducing As you can see cells are divided into several compartments. These compartments are called organelles. Each with a characteristic structure, biochemical composition, and function http://www.usm.maine.edu/bio/courses/bio205/cell.jpg

Displays Organization (Arranged in an orderly way) The levels of organization in biological systems begins with atoms and molecules and increases in complexity. Each structure in the organism has a specific function

Displays Organization (Arranged in an orderly way) Atoms Molecules Organelles Cells Tissues Organs System Organism Population Community Ecosystem Biosphere At which level does life begin?

Responds to stimuli (reactions to internal and external stimuli) All living organisms respond to stimuli from their environment. Organisms detect changes in their internal and external environment and react to the changes.

Reproduces (producing offspring) All living organisms must have the ability to reproduce to ensure the survival of the species (not the individual).

Requires Energy (Metabolism) (all the chemical processes using energy) Living organisms require and utilize energy to do work. Living things get their energy from food. Autotrophs make their own food using the sun’s energy. Heterotrophs get their food from eating other organisms the set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms to maintain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments.

Inherit adaptations evolved over time (Heredity) (passing of traits to offspring) Living organisms inherit traits from the parent organism that help the species survive The passing of traits to offspring (from its parent or ancestors). This is the process by which an offspring cell or organism acquires or becomes predisposed to the characteristics of its parent cell or organism. Through heredity, variations exhibited by individuals can accumulate and cause a species to evolve.

Maintains Homeostasis (keeping internal conditions constant in a changing environment) Homeo = same Stasis = standing All living things maintain a state of internal balance the body's ability to regulate physiologically its inner environment to ensure its stability in response to fluctuations in the outside environment and the weather Temperature pH level O2/CO2 content Glucose level Electrolyte level Like a thermostat in your house!

Grows and Develops (increase in mass and changing abilities) All living organisms go through increases in body size by increasing the number of cells or size of each individual cell. Development is the process of natural changes that take place during the life cycle of an organism.

Are viruses Living ? What are the red objects? Are they living? What are the blue objects? Are they living?