KEY CONCEPT Biology is the study of all forms of life.

Earth is home to an incredible diversity of life. The BIOSPHERE includes all living things and all the places they are found. biosphere = everywhere life exists

Earth is home to an incredible diversity of life. Every part of the biosphere is connected with every other part. The biosphere includes many environments. land environments

The biosphere includes many environments. saltwater and freshwater environments Tidepool Estuary portions of the atmosphere

BIODIVERSITY is the variety of life. Biodiversity generally increases from the poles to the equator. Biodiversity is greater in areas with consistently warm temperatures. Biodiversity is greater closer to the equator.

A SPECIES is one particular type of living thing. Members of a species can interbreed to reproduce. There are about 2 million different living species have been identified.

All organisms share certain characteristics. Biology is the scientific study of all forms of life.

An ORGANISM is any individual living thing. All are made of one or more cells.

An organism is any individual living thing. Because: All are made of one or more cells. All need energy for metabolism. All respond to their environment. All have DNA that they pass on to offspring by reproduction. All develop and grow (have a life cycle).

Requirements for identifying living things: Cells; All organisms are made up of cells, from single-celled organisms (unicellular) to multicellular organisms. Need for energy; All organisms need chemical energy to carry out their functions including metabolism, which is all of the chemical processes that build up or break down materials. Respond to environment; All organisms must respond to stimuli to survive. Reproduction; When organisms reproduce, they pass on their genetic information (DNA) to their off spring. Develop and Grow; all organisms have a life cycle.