Living vs. Non-Living vs. Once Living What can living things do?

In your group... Come up with a list of characteristics that you think all living things share Give 5 examples of living things that fit your criteria Be ready to share your findings with the class

Characteristics of Living Things Not all scientists agree on a single list of characteristics, the list we are going to use is as follows: –Made of cells –Metabolism –Respond to environment –Grow –Reproduce

Organism An individual living thing that can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, and maintain homeostasis. It can be a bacterium, protest, fungus, plant or animal.

1. Cells All living things are made of biological cells Cells are the smallest unit of living things

2. Metabolism Addition and removal of products. AKA the transfer of energy We take energy in, and we use that energy

Metabolism (cont.) Addition of Energy All living things need energy, organisms obtain energy in one of three ways –E–Eating food –P–Photosynthesis (when plants make their own food) –D–Decomposing of other organisms

Respiration (Breathing) Using Energy The use of OXYGEN to burn food to make energy (metabolism). O2O2 + = ENERGY

Excretion of Waste Removal of Products Removal of waste products no longer needed in the body

3. Respond to Environment A reaction to a stimulus; ability to keep a stable internal environment Maintaining a balance inside the body is called homeostasis

4. Growth Increase of size Development, reconstruction of body structure –What is an example of an organism that completely reconstructs it’s body during it’s lifetime?

5. Reproduce To make more of self.

One more... Movement NOT AN ACTUAL CHARACTERISTIC OF LIFE To change location; can also be internal movement Sometimes classified under response to stimuli

Plants move too! 5nIMhttp:// 5nIM

Once Living Something is classified as once living if at one time it did have all the characteristics of life, but does not now –Examples? Fossils, Dead Organisms, Oil etc.

Non-Living Things Have no characteristics of life and have never had any of the characteristics of life –Examples? Rocks, Dirt, Metal, Stapler etc.

Is it alive? Dog Pencil Oak Tree Daisy Bacteria Coal Fossil Sponges Rock Dirt Paper Air Guinea Pig Car