CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE BIOLOGY: the study of life

Biotic Abiotic

 “Life” is difficult to define  The characteristics of life must apply to all living organisms including: _______________, ___________________, and ___________________.

ALL LIVING THINGS ARE MADE UP OF CELLS Cells are the smallest unit capable of sustaining life Organisms range from unicellular to multicellular Cells are the smallest unit capable of sustaining life Organisms range from unicellular to multicellular

ALL LIVING THINGS CONTAIN DNA DNA is the genetic information that creates the organism

ALL LIVING THINGS CONTAIN DNA DNA is the genetic information that creates the organism Every living organism is made up of the same A, T, G, C code

98%

ALL LIVING THINGS REPRODUCE Produce offspring similar or identical to themselves Pass on genetic information (DNA)

ALL LIVING THINGS OBTAIN AND USE ENERGY Organisms require energy to perform their processes Energy is obtained from their environment Organisms require energy to perform their processes Energy is obtained from their environment Metabolism: The combination of chemical reactions where an organism builds up and breaks down materials Metabolism: The combination of chemical reactions where an organism builds up and breaks down materials

ALL LIVING THINGS RESPOND Organisms detect and respond to stimuli from their environment

ALL LIVING THINGS MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS a fairly stable internal environment Positive and negative feedback loops

ALL LIVING THINGS GROW and DEVELOP Grow in size Change in appearance and abilities Grow in size Change in appearance and abilities

ALL LIVING THINGS EVOLVE Populations change over long periods of time Each species has characteristics that vary within the population Some of these variations are preferred and become more pronounced over time Populations change over long periods of time Each species has characteristics that vary within the population Some of these variations are preferred and become more pronounced over time

Living organisms must possess all of these characteristics simultaneously. Inanimate systems – such as viruses – may produce most of these Living organisms must possess all of these characteristics simultaneously. Inanimate systems – such as viruses – may produce most of these ALL OR SOME?