Characteristics of Life

Biology The Study of Life Bio logy (Greek) Life Study of But what is life??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juxLuo-sH6M&noredirect=1

What about these things? Living Things What are some examples of living things? Humans Plants Insects Mold Bacteria What about these things? Rocks, bicycles, books

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

Characteristics of Living Things Biologists have created a list of characteristics by which we can recognize living things

Life!!! All living things….. Are made of one or more Cells Reproduce Obtain and Use Energy Respond to their Environment Grow and Develop Adapt Through Evolution

1. All Living Things are Made Up of Cells Cells are basic structural units of life. Smallest unit capable of all life functions. Cells are the building blocks of all organisms = living things. http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/plantcell.html http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/13-cells.htm

1. All Living Things are Made Up of Cells Two types of Organisms: Unicellular Organisms Entire organism is made up of one single cell Bacteria and protists http://www.lanesville.k12.in.us/lcsyellowpages/tickit/carl/bacteria.html http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2010/03/04/i-for-one-welcome-our-microbial-overlords/

UniCellular

1. All Living Things are Made Up of Cells Multicellular Organisms The organism is made up of many cells Cells have specialized functions within the organism Epithelial cells (like inside your cheek) http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/pickenc/BY30%20Histology.htm

MultiCellular

2. All Living Things Reproduce Reproduction is the process of producing new organisms of the same type. Sexual Reproduction Asexual Reproduction Two different parent organisms contribute genetic information Involves the combination of male and female sex cells One parent organism reproducing by itself

Asexual

Sexual: a new genetic combination

3. All Living Things Obtain and Use Energy Living organisms need energy to grow, develop, repair damage, and reproduce

Anabolism The process of building up complex substances from simpler substances Building up cells and cellular components Photosynthesis http://www.fourcroy.org/biology/chapters/05photoresp/02.html

Catabolism The process of breaking down complex substances into simpler substances to release energy Digestion Cellular Respiration

3. All Living Things Obtain and Use Energy Metabolism: the sum total of all the chemical reactions in your body Anabolism + Catabolism = Metabolism!!! http://manet.illinois.edu/pathways.php

4. All Living Things Respond to Their Environment An example is a plant’s leaves and stems growing toward light Organisms react to stimuli: Light Temperature Odor Sound Gravity Heat Water Pressure

All Organisms Maintain Homeostasis A stable state of conditions in the body that are necessary for life Body temperature Blood volume pH balance Water balance

Stable Interior

Even though exterior conditions are changing

5. All Living Things Grow Growth means to get bigger in size

And Develop Development involves a change in the physical form or make-up of an organism Example: Frog metamorphosis A frog begins as a single cell in a fertilized egg, then grows into a tadpole, and eventually into a fully grown frog. http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/32885.html

Development

6. 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 over great periods of time http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_51

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

More Resources http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvMBJZLEwFs&feature=related (movie) http://www.firstschoolyears.com/science/resources/games/ourselves/living/living.htm (sorting) http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.colt.alive//