Characteristics of Living Things Headings Vocabulary Important Info

What is Biology? 1. The study of living things (organisms) 2. The study of interactions of living things 3. bio-life ology-study of

8 Characteristics of Life Unicellular Living Things are: 1. Made up of Cells CELL: Collection of living material enclosed within a barrier Cells are basic unit of life Unicellular: made up of one cell Multicellular: made up of many cells Multicellular

*Cells have an orderly structure Levels of Organization Stomach Muscle cell Smooth muscle tissue Digestive system *Cells have an orderly structure *Ex: cells make up tissues, tissues make up organs, and organs make up systems Go to Section:

a.) produce offspring which resemble parents Asexual 2. Reproduce: a.) produce offspring which resemble parents b.) Asexual Reproduction: has only one parent c.) Sexual Reproduction: requires two parents Sexual

a.) GROWTH: increase in size and shape 3. Grow and Develop a.) GROWTH: increase in size and shape b.) DEVELOPMENT: mature over time c.) living things have a lifespan Growth Development

4. Livings things are based on a universal genetic code A. DNA- DeoxyriboNucleic Acid B. RNA- RiboNucleic Acid C. determines inherited traits from parents

5. Use/Need Energy a. Energy comes from food, used to maintain body b. Autotrophs: produce their own food c. Heterotrophs: must consume food d. Decomposers: break down dead material for food

6. Respond to their surroundings a.) they react to a stimulus b.) an action causes a reaction c.) reaction is called a response d.) this involves one individual

7. Maintain a stable internal environment A. Homeostasis- process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment EX: sweating, panting, shivering, etc

Electrolyte is a "medical/scientific" term for salts, specifically ions. The term electrolyte means that this ion is electrically-charged and moves to either a negative (cathode) or positive (anode) electrode: ions that move to the cathode (cations) are positively charged ions that move to the anode (anions) are negatively charged For example, your body fluids -- blood, plasma, interstitial fluid (fluid between cells) -- are like seawater and have a high concentration of sodium chloride (table salt, or NaCl). The electrolytes in sodium chloride are: sodium ion (Na+) - cation chloride ion (Cl-) - anion As for your body, the major electrolytes are as follows: sodium (Na+) magnesium(Mg+) calcium (Ca2+) Potassium (K+) bicarbonate (HCO3-) phosphate (PO42-) chloride (Cl-) sulfate (SO42-)

Electrolytes are important because they are what your cells (especially nerve, heart, muscle) use to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions) across themselves and to other cells. Your kidneys work to keep the electrolyte concentrations in your blood constant despite changes in your body. For example, when you exercise heavily, you lose electrolytes in your sweat, particularly sodium and potassium. These electrolytes must be replaced to keep the electrolyte concentrations of your body fluids constant. So, many sports drinks have sodium chloride or potassium chloride added to them. They also have sugar and flavorings to provide your body with extra energy and to make the drink taste better. Another example where electrolyte drinks are important is when infants/children have chronic vomiting or diarrhea, perhaps due to intestinal flu viruses. When children vomit or have diarrhea, they lose electrolytes. Again, these electrolytes and the fluids must be replaced to prevent dehydration and seizures. Therefore, drinks such as Pedialyte have sodium and potassium in them like the sports drinks do. However, pediatricians do not recommend giving sports drinks to a sick child! Sports drinks have much higher sugar concentrations than Pedialyte and the high sugar is not a proper treatment

8. Evolve a.) Adapt to long-range changes in environment b.) Change to better survive in environment c.) these changes take place over a long period of time involving the entire species

Characteristics of Living Things Examples Living things are made up of units called cells. Many microorganisms consist of only a single cell. Animals and trees are multicellular. Living things reproduce. Maple trees reproduce sexually. A hydra can reproduce asexually by budding. Living things are based on a universal genetic code. Flies produce flies. Dogs produce dogs. Seeds from maple trees produce maple trees. Living things grow and develop. Flies begin life as eggs, then become maggots, and then become adult flies. Living things obtain and use materials and energy. Plants obtain their energy from sunlight. Animals obtain their energy from the food they eat. Living things respond to their environment. Leaves and stems of plants grow toward light. Living things maintain a stable internal environment. Despite changes in the temperature of the environment, a robin maintains a constant body temperature. Taken as a group, living things change over time. Plants that live in the desert survive because they have become adapted to the conditions of the desert. Go to Section:

So, lets see if you learned anything…

You eat a hamburger for lunch. The following are all examples of the characteristics of life. Identify each one. Adapt D. genetic code G. Respond to stimulus Made of cells E. Grow and develop H. Homeostasis 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.