1. Miami Beach Senior High School Mrs Diaz
WHAT IS BIOLOGY?
Miami Beach Senior High School
Mrs Diaz

2. Biology Biology is the study of life. “bio” = life “logy” = study
It includes all living organisms such as: plants, animals, bacteria, protists, fungi

3. How do we know if something is living?
Life
How do we know if something is living?
Scientists have determined that all living organisms share several characteristics (traits).
If a “thing” has all of the characteristics of life then we can say it is living.

4. The 7 Characteristics of Life
Cellular Organization
Reproduction
Metabolism
Homeostasis
Heredity
Responsiveness
Growth and Development

5. 1. Cellular Organization
All living things are made of one or more cells.
A cell is the smallest unit capable of all life functions.
Cells are highly organized.

6. 2. Reproduction All living things produce offspring.
Since nothing can live forever, reproduction is essential to life.

7. 3. Metabolism
All living things use energy to grow, to move, and to process information.
Metabolism is the sum off all the chemical reactions in the above activities.

8. 4. Homeostasis
All living things must maintain a stable internal environment in order to function properly.
Homeostasis is the term given to keeping a balanced internal environment.

9. 5. Heredity
All living things are able to pass on their characteristics (traits) to their offspring.
Heredity is the passing of traits from parent to offspring.

10. 6. Responsiveness
All living things are responsive. That is the act of sensing a stimulus and responding to it.
Responsiveness is concerned with detecting changes in the internal or external environments and reacting to that change.

11. 7. Growth and Development
All living things undergo a growth and development process.
It may be a simple increase in size or a complex change of structures and their functions.