Characteristics of Living Things Rebecca Passetto Life Science Biology

Objectives Be able to determine whether something is a living thing (organism) or a non-living thing. Be able to determine whether something is a living thing (organism) or a non-living thing. Learn and understand the 6 main characteristics of living things. Learn and understand the 6 main characteristics of living things.

First Characteristic of Living Things The first characteristic of living things is that they are all composed of cells. The first characteristic of living things is that they are all composed of cells. Cells are the itsy bitsy puzzle pieces that make up all living things. Cells are the itsy bitsy puzzle pieces that make up all living things.

Second Characteristic of Living Things The second characteristic of living things is Organization. The second characteristic of living things is Organization. All of the little cells that come together to make living things do so in a specific order. All of the little cells that come together to make living things do so in a specific order. For example a group of muscle cells come together to form our muscles. For example a group of muscle cells come together to form our muscles.

Third Characteristic of Living Things The third characteristic of living things is all living things use energy. The third characteristic of living things is all living things use energy. Animals and humans eat food to obtain their energy. Plants however use the sunlight to obtain their energy.

Fourth Characteristic of Living Things The fourth characteristic of living things is homeostasis (to keep yourself alive) The fourth characteristic of living things is homeostasis (to keep yourself alive) Living things respond to the environment. Living things respond to the environment. Examples are: sunflowers responding to the sun, humans responding to the cold by shivering, or birds migrating south Examples are: sunflowers responding to the sun, humans responding to the cold by shivering, or birds migrating south

Fifth Characteristic of Living Things The fifth characteristic of living things is that all living things grow. The fifth characteristic of living things is that all living things grow.

Sixth Characteristic of Living Things The sixth characteristic of living things is reproduction. All living things need to reproduce to survive. The sixth characteristic of living things is reproduction. All living things need to reproduce to survive.

Living or Non-living and Why? Living Non-Living

Six Characteristics of Living Things 1. Cells 2. Organization 3. Energy 4. Homeostasis 5. Growth 6. Reproduction