1. Characteristics of Living Things

2. Made of Cells  All living things are made of cells.  Cells are the basic unit of structure and function  All cells come from  pre-existing cells

3. Homeostasis  Maintaining a stable internal environment  Examples: temperature, pH, water and salt concentrations, etc.

4. Evolution: Change over time  Organisms are adapted to their environment. As their environment changes, the individuals best suited to the environment will survive and reproduce  Over time, the species will change will change

5. Reproduction  Cells produce new cells asexually or sexually.  Asexual reproduction= 1 parent, budding, regeneration, genetically identical to parent  Sexual reproduction= 2 parents, genetically different than parent.

6. Genetic Code   Heredity is based upon DNA and RNA which carry genetic information.

7. Growth and Development  Growth: increase in size  Development: structural changes during the life of an organism  Metamorphosis: egg- larvae- pupa- adult  -Example: puberty: hormone changes cause physical changes-

8. Obtain and use Energy  Organisms need energy to grow and carry out necessary life processes  Organisms obtain energy either from the sun or from consuming other organisms  Autotrophs: make their own food  Heterotrophs: Consume food

9. Response to Stimuli  Organism responds to changes in the environment  A stimulus causes a response  External stimuli come from outside the organism -burning finger on stove  Internal stimuli come from inside the organism the organism -hunger pains because low glucose levels levels

10. NOT A CHARACTERISTIC OF LIFE   Movement is not a characteristic of life   Plants are alive but do not move