All things considered to be alive have what characteristics in common? Make a list of reasons why you think the following organisms are considered “alive”. Group that comes the closest wins…

8 characteristics of living things Have cells and DNA Reproduce Grow and Develop Use energy Have a need for materials and energy Respond to environment Maintain internal balance Evolve over time as a species

1. Have cells and DNA Unicellular Multi-cellular

1. HAVE CELLS AND DNA Multi-cellular: cells differentiate from a single fertilized egg cell, and they just “know” to become a heart, leg etc. Uni-cellular : one celled organism (amoeba or bacteria) Both above have DNA ( the genetic code: which is why we look like our parents)

Multi-cellular start off a single cell…

2. All living things reproduce There are 2 ways in which this can be done…

Types of reproduction

2. All living things Reproduce There are 2 types of reproduction: Asexual : 1 parent (budding) - identical bacteria Sexual: 2 parents cats people

3. Living things grow and develop What is the difference between the 2 words?

Growth and Development Bacteria- grow, they just increase in size People – develop … they increase in size and their bodily functions change over time….until they become an adult ex) puberty…

4. Living things use energy to ……grow/develop/reproduce

Living things use energy to grow/develop/reproduce… or just stay alive Where do we get energy from? Metabolism: combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up and breaks down materials (will release energy) as it carries out life processes Fast metabolism- break down Slow metabolism – store for later

Where are they getting energy from?

How obtain energy? Plants: From the sun’s energy “photosynthesis” Lion: From eating other organisms “herbivore, carnivore” Mushroom: From the remains of dead organisms (decomposers)

6. Living things respond to stimuli http://www.fotosearch.com/video-footage/time-lapse-flower_2.html

6. Respond to stimulus Stimulus- signal to which an organism responds Response- (what they do because of the signal) Internal stimulus- ex.) sugar levels drop? …then you feel hungry External: ex.) flower leans toward the window in a classroom

Practice Stimulus and Response My niece kicked me in the shin and I screamed I slammed the door and the class jumped I turned the light on and the mouse ran under the table I placed my hand on the hot stove and I yanked it back and yelped

7. Maintain internal balance

7. Maintain internal balance External: conditions may vary widely But internal…. Should be kept constant.. This is homeostasis Ex) temperature 98.6 F, water content, etc Ex of how it happens? Shivering/sweating Thirst/feeling of fullness

Evolve over time …

8. Evolve over time :Evolution 100,000’s of millions of years…changes can be dramatic within a species… ex) pre-historic horse was the size of a Barbie doll horse