The Characteristics of Life Section 1-3 p. 15-20 Characteristics of Life

Characteristics of Life Living vs. Nonliving Living = has ALL characteristics of life Nonliving = may contain some, but not all life characteristics Characteristics of Life

Characteristics of Life 1. Made of cells Cell = smallest unit to sustain life 2. Respond to environment Detect & react to a STIMULUS (a signal that causes a response) Characteristics of Life

Characteristics of Life 3. Obtain & use energy Metabolism = sum of all chemical processes (energy in & energy out) 4. Growth & Development Cell division & enlargement allow growth Characteristics of Life

Characteristics of Life 5. Reproduction Produce offspring to ensure survival of species 6. Homeostasis = maintain a stable, internal environment Characteristics of Life

Characteristics of Life 7. Universal Genetic Code Complex info. stored in DNA/RNA 8. Evolve/Change Basic traits stay the same, but groups of organisms change over time Characteristics of Life

Levels of Organization in Biology Chapter 1-3 Page 21 Characteristics of Life/Levels of Organization Levels of Organization in Biology Chapter 1-3 Page 21 FROM SMALLEST TO LARGEST… 1. Atoms & Molecules: Subatomic particles (proton, neutron, electron) and groups of atoms. Characteristics of Life/Levels of Organization

2. Cells: Smallest functional unit of life. 3. Tissue: Groups of cells that perform the same function. 4. Organs: Groups of tissues that collectively perform the same function.

5. Organ Systems: Groups of organs working together to perform the same function. 6. Organism: Individual living thing.