All living things share some basic properties. Cellular Organization Cellular Organization Reproduction Reproduction Metabolism (Obtain and Use Energy) Metabolism (Obtain and Use Energy) Homeostasis Homeostasis Heredity Heredity Evolution Evolution Interdependence Interdependence

1. Cellular Organization All living things made up of one or more cells. –Unicellular - bacteria –Multicellular - humans Cells are the smallest unit of life. –Highly organized, tiny structures

2. Reproduction All living things reproduce.All living things reproduce. Reproduction - process of producing new organisms of the same typeReproduction - process of producing new organisms of the same type 2 types of reproduction2 types of reproduction –Asexual – single parent organism reproducing by itself (clone) –Sexual – two different parent organisms contribute genetic information. Involves combination of male and female sex cellsInvolves combination of male and female sex cells

3. Metabolism Sum of all chemical reactions (rxn) carried out by an organism.Sum of all chemical reactions (rxn) carried out by an organism. Need to carry out chemical rxns in order to obtain and use energyNeed to carry out chemical rxns in order to obtain and use energy –Living organisms need energy to grow, develop, repair damage, process information, and reproduce. How do you get energy? What is the original source of all energy?How do you get energy? What is the original source of all energy?

4. Homeostasis Maintenance of stable internal conditions despite changes in the external environment. Organisms must maintain a stable environment to function properly. –if unable to balance internal conditions with environmental conditions organisms can become ill and die. What are some ways humans or different animals maintain their internal conditions?

5. Hereditary Traits All organisms pass on hereditary traits to their offspring. Genes carry hereditary information Genes are composed of DNA Heredity is the reason children resemble their parents Mutations change DNA code. –If occur in body cells; not passed on to offspring. Can result in cancer. –If occurs in sex cells (egg/sperm) passed to offspring. Ex. Sickle cell anemia

6. Evolution Change in inherited traits of species over generations.Change in inherited traits of species over generations. –Species - group of genetically similar organisms that can produce fertile offspring. All living things adapt to their environment through evolution.All living things adapt to their environment through evolution. –Adaptation - process where organisms become better suited to their environment –Natural Selection - process where organisms with favorable genes are more likely to survive to reproduce. *Survival of the Fittest**Survival of the Fittest* Desert plants have succulent waxy leaves and stems to store water and reduce water loss

7. Interdependence All Organisms Are Interdependent All Organisms Are Interdependent Organisms in a biological community live and interact with other organisms.Organisms in a biological community live and interact with other organisms. Organisms depend on each other and the nonliving environment.Organisms depend on each other and the nonliving environment. –Ecology - branch of biology that studies interactions of organisms with one another and the nonliving part of the environment.