Characteristics of Life Biology The study of Life Bio: Life ology: Study of

Characteristics of Life Response to Stimulus (Movement) Growth & Development Reproduction Organization Homeostasis Use Energy

Living things acquire materials and energy, and they reproduce

Response to Stimulus Stimulus is any response to an organism’s environment that causes it to react.

Living things grow and develop

Growth & Development All organisms change during their lives Growth increases size Development is like the stages of life that humans go through: infant, adolescent, (puberty), adult.

Reproduction The species must reproduce This is how the species survives A group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile offspring are called a species.

Reproduction (cont) Reproduction is a process that can allow gradual change in the characteristics of a species over time. Change over time is evolution. Change over time explains the great diversity of life.

Organization Each species has its own type of body organization Cells, tissues, organs, systems are levels of organization All body systems interact with other systems.

Levels of Biological Organization

Homeostasis The ability of the body of an organism to maintain it’s internal environment or conditions in the body. Example: Body Temperature Maintaining balance within the body

Use Energy All living things obtain energy from their environment. They use this energy to move, grow and develop, reproduce, have organized body systems, and maintain homeostasis. Autotrophic vs Heterotrophic

Theme of Biology Living things do not exist in isolation They are all functioning parts in the delicate balance of nature. Life is dynamic, not static

Organization of the Biosphere Chemical cycling- chemicals cycle through an ecosystem until they are returned to the environment through death and decomposition Energy cycling-flows from the sun through photosynthesizers to others in food chain and dissipates back to the environment as heat

A grassland, a terrestrial ecosystem Fig 1.6