Characteristics of Life All living things… …no matter how different from each other they may be… …share a set of common characteristics.

Inquiry Activity – What makes something alive? Before we begin, let’s take a moment to explore what makes something alive. Why do we consider blood or leaves to be living or biotic, but a set of keys to be abiotic or not alive? What characteristics do all living things have in common?

Inquiry Activity – What makes something alive? In this activity, you will rotate around the room and examine the specimens in the jars. As you explore, keep a list of characteristics that help you to classify the organism as biotic or “alive.” Be prepared to share your ideas with the class.

Six Characteristics of Living Things 1.Composed of cells.cells 2.Have complex organization patternsorganization 3.Use energy.energy 4.Have stable internal conditions.stable internal conditions 5.Grow and change.Grow and change 6.Reproduce.Reproduce

1. All Living Things are Composed of Cells Two types of cells: 1.Prokaryotic Cells - Most are single - celled organisms that do not have DNA housed in the nucleus 2.Eukaryotic Cells - Single or multicellular organisms with DNA stored within the nucleus Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell Back to Menu

2. Complex Organization Patterns Atomic Level Molecular Level Organelle Level/ Cellular Level Tissue Level Organ and Organ System Levels

2. Complex Organization Patterns Organism Level Population Level – Group of same species Community Level – Groups of different species Ecosystem Level – Living and non-living elements – Cycling of Matter and Energy Biosphere Level

cvc Biomes

Which level of organization is represented here? Ecosystem 3. All Organisms use Energy Sunlight Producers (plants and other photosynthetic organisms that make their own food for energy ) Consumers (including animals, that “eat” or consume food for energy) Chemical Energy Heat

3. All Organisms use Energy Transfers of matter and energy through the ecosystem can be shown through a diagram called a food web. Back to Menu

Let’s watch a video about Biomes and the ecosystems that make them up.Biomes Consider the following guiding questions as we watch. We will watch it twice. (pages 22-23). Jot down your ideas as you watch. -Exactly, what is a system? Try to define it. -What are some abiotic vs. biotic components within these systems? How do they interact? Why are they necessary for life? -What happens to matter within a system? How does matter move through the abiotic and biotic components? -Can matter within a system be lost or destroyed? Back to Menu

Exploring Organic Building Blocks Pages of your intNB First complete pages 24 and 25. You will need an iPad for question 3, on page 25. When complete, your teacher will guide you through the next series of activities using the following image of an aquatic ecosystem.

4. All organisms have stable internal conditions which must be maintained in order to remain alive. This is called homeostasis. 37⁰C Acceptable Range Brrr…. Shiver… I am so cold!

Feedback Loops & Homeostasis Negative feedback loop – a stimulus triggers a response from the body that eventually reduces the stimulus. Positive feedback loop – a stimulus triggers a response from the body that increases the stimulus.

Homeostasis Activity How would you design an experiment to test the homeostatic activity of your eye? We will brainstorm in groups. Back to Menu

5. All organisms grow and change. a.Changes occur during the life cycle of an organism.Changes occur during the life cycle of an organism b.Some changes are inherited, which over time are called __________.Some changes are inherited, which over time are called __________. adaptations

5a. Changes occur during an organism’s lifetime (video)video Differentiation: The process by which cells become increasingly different and specialized cvcvcc Back Consider the following: Each human cell has 46 strands of DNA Each cell has the exact same genetic make- up. Why, then, does differentiation occur? (Why are there so many different types of cells?) …Discuss…

5b. Organisms Adapt Back to Menu The inheritance of adaptations over time is evolution.

6. All organisms reproduce 1.Some organisms reproduce sexually. 2.Some organisms reproduce ________. asexually Back to Menu (not sexually)