UNIT : 1 CLASSIFICATION

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS

I Can Goal : I can list all the characteristics of living things.

The Characteristics of Living Things Biologists use six characteristics to classify something as a living thing. 1. Made of Cells 2. Need Energy 3. Adapt to Their Surroundings 4. React to Changes 5. Reproduce 6. Grow and Develop CLASSIFICATION: dividing things into groups based on specific characters.

The Characteristics of Living Things Living things are called organisms All living things have these six characteristics. Anything without one of these six characteristics is nonliving.

1. Made of Cells “Building Blocks" Cells = the of life. Organisms are made up of one or more cells. unicellular: One celled organisms multicellular: Many celled organisms A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things. Cells = the “Building Blocks" of life.

2. Use and Need Energy All organisms need and use energy to live. Energy is the ability to do work. Sunlight is the source of energy for most living things. Plants use the energy in sunlight to make food, and animals get energy by eating plants or other animals that have eaten plants. AUTOTROPHS(producers) : organisms who produce their own food .ex. Plants HETEROTROPS (consumers) :organism who eat other animals or plants

3. Adapted to Their Surroundings Organisms are adapted, or suited, to their surroundings. All organisms have features that help them survive in their surroundings. For example: fish have gills

4. React to Changes Organisms react to change in their surroundings. Any reaction to change is called a response. For example: A bright light may cause you to blink.

5. Reproduce Organisms produce more organisms of their own kind. Reproduction allows organisms to continue living on the earth.

6. Grow and Develop All organisms grow and develop. Living things change, or develop, during their lifetimes. One way organisms change is by growing. Living things may also change in appearance. For example: tadpoles and frogs

Identify as living or non living

Summary Biologists use six characteristics to classify something as a living thing. 1. Made of Cells 2. Use and Need Energy 3. Adapted to Their Surroundings 4. React to Changes 5. Reproduce 6. Grow and Develop All living things display all of the above characteristics.