September 20, 2011 (D-day) Agenda: 1.Bellwork 2.Finish notes- characteristics of living things 3.Classwork 4.Go over quiz

Homework Read pages Answer questions 1 to 4 & “Connecting Concepts” Complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper. UNIT TEST (This Friday, 9/23) Unit 1: The Science of Biology (including lab safety/equipment)

Chapter 1: Section 1-3 Studying Life Biology: the study of life -the science that seeks to understand the natural world. Characteristics of Living Things What makes something “living”? Examples) Living: ___________________ Non-living: ________________

1.Made up of Cells All living things, or organisms, are made up of tiny units called cells. Cell: basic unit of structure & function. -a collection of living matter with a barrier that separates it from its surroundings. - cells can grow, respond to their surroundings, and reproduce.

Unicellular: made of only one cell Examples) Multicellular: made of many cells Examples) protozoa a house plant

2. Reproduce All organisms produce new organisms through reproduction. Two basic types 1. Sexual reproduction: 2 cells from different parents join & produce first cell of new organism. 2. Asexual reproduction: the new organism comes from one parent (either by dividing in half or growing a new portion that splits off)

3. Based on a Genetic Code All living organisms inherit traits. DNA: the molecule that has the directions for inheritance. Asexual reproduction  offspring are identical to parents. Sexual reproduction  offspring are different (combined traits) but same type of organism. Example) flies produce flies, dandelions produce dandelions, etc.

4. Grow and Develop Living things may increase in size and develop. -Unicellular organism  grow -Multicellular organisms  grow and develop. Growth: the process of becoming larger. Development: the process of change in which an organism becomes more complex.

5. Need Materials and Energy An organism uses energy and materials to grow, develop, and reproduce. Metabolism: the combination of all the chemical reactions that occur in an organism. All organisms take in needed materials (nutrients, water, air) but obtain energy in different ways.

Autotrophs: use energy to produce their own food. Example) Plants Heterotrophs: must consume food to get energy.Example) humans, animals Decomposers: get energy from eating organisms that have died. Example) vultures, flies (maggots)

6. Respond to the Environment All living things have the ability to respond to stimuli in their environments. Stimulus: a signal to which an organism responds (plural: stimuli). Response: the reaction to a stimulus. Example) shivering on a cold day

7. Maintain Internal Balance Homeostasis: regulation of an organism’s internal environment to maintain conditions suitable for its survival. Example) Humans maintain a constant body temperature. Homeostasis involves feedback mechanisms.

8. Evolution Evolution: change in a kind of organism over a long period of time. Important for survival because the world is always changing. Groups of organisms must be able to adapt and evolve.

Summary of the 8 Characteristics of Living Things CharacteristicExample