Characteristics of Living Things

Biology- –Bio-life –ology-study of Biology: 1)Organisms 2)Interactions with environment & other organisms

ORGANISMS Exhibit all the characteristics of life!

#1:Living things are diverse and are made of cells.

Hierarchy of Living Things: Cell  Tissue  Organ  Organ System  Organism

#2: Reproduce Make more of the organism Species: group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Two Types of Reproduction: Asexual –- identical organisms –- clones –Binary Fission- bacteria divide into two –Cloning –Regeneration- grows 2 individuals from one *example: planarian Flatworm regeneration: Two-headed planaria Flatworm regeneration: Two-headed planaria

Sexual Reproduction –Individuals are different due to variation created from mixing DNA from two individuals –Transfer of DNA: –Sperm/egg (fertilization –Conjugation- bacteria transfers DNA through a tunnel. NO SPERM OR EGG NEEDED!

Grow & Develop Growth- tree getting taller Development: Metamorphosis of caterpillar to a butterfly

#4: Respond to a Stimulus A. Stimulus- anything that can cause a response B. Examples:

#5: Homeostasis Regulation of internal balances

Stability and Homeostasis Temperature, water content, chemical content, etc.

#6: Energy Use Metabolism- all the chemical reactions in the body

#7: Adapt & Evolve Adaptation: any structure, behavior or mechanism that enables an organism to respond to a stimulus and evolve Evolve: Accumulation of adaptations over time