1 Characteristics of Life

2 What is Biology? Biology is the study of all living things Living things are called organisms Living things are called organisms Organisms include bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, & animals

3 All Living Things Share Common Characteristics 1. Basic Unit is the Cell 2. They Reproduce 3. All Based On Universal Genetic Code (DNA) 4. Grow & Develop

4 Common Characteristics 5. Obtain & Use Materials & Energy 6. Respond To Their Environment 7. Maintain A Stable Internal Environment 8. AS A GROUP, Living Things Evolve, That Is They Change Over Time

5 Characteristics of Organisms

6 All Organisms are made of Cells

7 Facts About Cells Cells are the smallest living unit of an organism Some cells are simple, others are complex and highly organized Some organisms are made of one cell, others (like you) are made of trillions of cells!

8 Organisms Reproduce to Pass on their Genetic Traits

9 Two Types of Reproduction Sexual Reproduction Involves 2 parents Egg fertilized by sperm to make a ZYGOTE Offspring DIFFERENT from parents

10 Two Types of Reproduction Asexual Reproduction Involves a single organism or cell Cell divides Offspring IDENTICAL to parent

11 Cells Have a Genetic Code

12 Genetic Code DNA (deoxyribose nucleic acid) carries the genetic code for all organisms All organisms contain DNA DNA codes for the proteins that make up cells & do all the work

13 Organisms Grow & Develop

14 Growth & Development Cells grow by producing MORE CELLS & by cell ENLARGEMENT Organisms develop as they mature into an adult organism

15 Cells Require Food & Energy

16 Food Requirements Autotrophs can make their own food Heterotrophs can NOT make their own food (they consume other organisms More on this in the ecology unit

17 Organisms Respond to Stimuli Organisms Respond to Temperature, Water, Food Supplies, etc. In Order To Survive & Reproduce

18 Homeostasis Keeping The Internal Environment Of The Cell or Organism Within The Ranges Required For Life Stable internal conditions of pH, temperature, water balance, etc.

19 Living Things Evolve Groups Of Organisms (Not Individuals) Change Over Time In Order To Survive Within Changing Environments. Fossil records show changes in groups of organisms