Characteristics of Life CHARGER 8/31/2017 Characteristics of Life CHARGER Johnson 2017 1

What is Biology? The study of living things 8/31/2017 What is Biology? The study of living things There are seven characteristics that help classify biotic organisms 2

Taxonomy Taxonomy: the classification of living things created by scientists Domains Kingdoms

CHARGER Made up of 1 or more Cells Unicellular (one cell) 8/31/2017 CHARGER Made up of 1 or more Cells Unicellular (one cell) - ex. ALL Bacteria & SOME Fungi and Protists Multicellular (many cells) - ex. ALL Animals & Plants & SOME Fungi and Protists 4

Have a universal genetic code (DNA) CHARGER Have a universal genetic code (DNA) All living things have DNA DNA passes on genetic information from one generation to the next

CHARGER Maintain homeostasis 8/31/2017 CHARGER Maintain homeostasis Homeostasis – a relatively stable internal environment (within a certain range) - (ex. Human body temperature (approximately 98.6 degrees F)) 6

Adapt and evolve over time 8/31/2017 CHARGER Adapt and evolve over time Evolution - gradual change in a population of organisms over time Individuals DO NOT evolve 7

Respond to stimuli in their environment 8/31/2017 CHARGER Respond to stimuli in their environment Stimuli - factors in the environment that living things react to (ex. Light, temperature, sound, etc.) 8

Grow and develop/Specialization 8/31/2017 CHARGER Grow and develop/Specialization Each cell divides to make new cells (cell division) – results in growth Some cells become specialized and perform different jobs than others (differentiation) Ex. Neurons vs. muscular cells 9

1. Dehydration Synthesis 8/31/2017 Energy to survive CHARGER Uses materials for metabolism 2 Types of Reactions 1. Dehydration Synthesis = building up Ex: Putting amino acids together to make proteins 2. Hydrolysis = breaking down Ex: Breaking down starch into usable sugars 10

CHARGER Energy to survive Autotrophic - use energy from sun Heterotrophic – make energy by consuming nutrients from their environment

4. All living things reproduce CHARGER 4. All living things reproduce Asexual - only one parent cell is needed No genetic variability Sexual - two sex cells required (sperm and egg) genetic variability; preferred by nature