Characteristics of Living Things Unit 2

It’s Alive! Or Is It?

What is Life? Section 2.1 There are 7 characteristics that all living things must have in order to be considered alive.

The 7 Characteristics of Life 1.Response to Stimuli All living things can respond/react to stimuli whether it is internal or external.

The 7 Characteristics of Life 2. Adaptability In order to survive all living things must be able to adapt to their environment and evolve over time.

The 7 Characteristics of Life 3. Reproduction All living things can reproduce.

The 7 Characteristics of Life 4. Energy Use All living things must be able to use energy to perform the tasks necessary for survival.

The 7 Characteristics of Life 5. Homeostasis All living things can maintain a balanced internal environment.

The 7 Characteristics of Life 6. Organization All living things have cellular organization. They are made up of one or more cells.

The 7 Characteristics of Life 7. Growth and Development All living things grow (get bigger) and develop (become more complex).

R.A.R.E. H.O.G R esponse to stimuli A dapatability R eproduction E nergy Use H omeostasis O rganized by cells G rowth and development

Life Comes From Life Redi’s Experiment

Life Comes From Life Pasteur’s Experiment

What Living Things Need to Survive 1.Food: Organisms need food as a source of energy. – Organisms that can make their own food are called autotrophs. – Organisms that need to eat other organisms as food are called heterotrophs.

What Living Things Need to Survive 2.Water: Living things can only survive a few days without water.

What Living Things Need to Survive 3.Space: All living things need a space where they can find food, water and shelter.