Quick write –write the entire prompt at the top of a piece of paper and then write for the entire time you are given What is biology? What does it mean to be alive/ what makes something alive? What is the difference between living, non-living and dead?

Are these living?

What Does it Mean to Be Alive? What Are The Characteristics of Life?

Characteristics of Life! All living things share some basic properties  Eight Characteristics of Life M  Metabolism R  Respond to Stimuli G  Growth & Development R  Reproduction E  Evolve & Adapt C  Composed of cells (+1) H  Homeostasis

METABOLISM: All living organisms obtain & use energy to grow, develop, repair damage, and reproduce

Metabolism All chemical reactions occurring within an organism Anabolism + Catabolism = Metabolism Anabolism = building up complex substances from simpler ones (ex: photosynthesis) Catabolism = breaking down complex substances into simpler ones (ex: cellular respiration)

All Living Things Respond to Their Environment Example: A plant’s leaves and stems grow toward light Organisms react to stimuli: Light Temperature Odor Sound Gravity Heat Water Pressure

ALL ORGANISMS GROW & DEVELOP – what’s the difference between the two?? Growth & Development ALL ORGANISMS GROW & DEVELOP – what’s the difference between the two??

All Living Things Grow Growth means to get bigger in size

All Living Things Develop Development involves a change in the physical form or physiological make-up of an organism

All Living Things Reproduce Reproduction is the process of producing new organisms of the same type Two types: 1. Asexual Reproduction A single parent organism reproducing by itself – usually by splitting itself in half

2. Sexual Reproduction Two different parent organisms contribute genetic information Involves the combination of male and female sex cells

All Living Things Adapt to Their Environment Through Evolution Adaptation A process that enables organisms to become better suited to their environment Species obtain adaptations through evolution, which occurs over great periods of time

An Example of Adaptation Desert plants have succulent waxy leaves and stems to store water and reduce water loss

All Living Things are Made Up of Cells Smallest unit capable of all life functions - Life’s basic units of structure and function Unicellular Organisms Entire organism is made up of one single cell Bacteria and protists

Multicellular Organisms The organism is made up of many cells Cells have specialized functions within the organism

Cellular Organization (the +1) When an organism is multicellular, the cells are organized so that they group together to form organs and systems Atoms/molecules -> cells -> tissues -> organs -> organ systems

All Organisms Maintain Homeostasis Ability of an organism to maintain relatively constant internal conditions Body temperature (shivering when cold to warm up/sweating when hot to cool off) Water balance – water entering or leaving cells depending on how much is available in the body All organ systems contribute to homeostasis

Characteristics of Life! All living things share 7 basic properties  Seven Characteristics of Life M  Metabolism R  Respond to Stimuli G  Growth & Development R  Reproduction E  Evolve & Adapt C  Composed of cells (+1) H  Homeostasis * Disclaimer: This powerpoint presentation is a compilation of various works.

Divide a piece of notebook paper into 8 squares – for each square, draw an illustration (not just a drawing, include a caption) for one of the characteristics of life