1. Characteristics of Living Things
Study of Biology

2. Characteristics of Living Things
Living things share the following characteristics:
made up of units called cells
reproduce
based on a universal genetic code
grow and develop
obtain and use materials and energy
respond to their environment
maintain a stable internal environment
change over time
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3. Interdependence in Nature
All forms of life on Earth are connected together into a biosphere, which literally means “living planet.”
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4. Big Ideas in Biology Cellular Basis of Life
Organisms are composed of one or more cells, which are the smallest units that can be considered fully alive.
Unicellular – one cell ex: Bacteria
Multicellular – many cells ex: humans, trees, mushrooms
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5. Unity and Diversity of Life
Big Ideas in Biology
Unity and Diversity of Life
All living things are fundamentally alike at the molecular level, even though life takes an almost unbelievable variety of forms.
Reproduction – come from existing life
Asexual reproduction – without use of sex cells, produces genetic clones – budding, binary fission
Ex: bacteria
Sexual reproduction – with use of sex cells – produces genetic variation
Ex: Humans, trees
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6. Grow & develop

7. Has a genetic code
Genetic code is common, with minor variations, to every organism on Earth.
That information, carried in DNA, is copied and passed from parents to offspring.
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8. Evolution
In biology, evolution, or the change in living things through time, explains inherited similarities as well as the diversity of life.
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9. Order – life has structure
Atoms
Molecules
Organelle
Cells
Tissues
Organs
Organ systems
Organisms
Populations
Communities
Biomes (ecosystems)
The Biosphere

10. Metabolism – sum of all chemical reactions in the body
Matter and Energy
Matter serves as nutrients to build body structure and energy to fuel the processes of life.
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11. Irritability – respond to stimuli

12. Homeostasis
An organism’s ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment.
Ex: temperature, sugar, pH
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13. Levels of Organization

14. Atoms
the basic unit of matter
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15. Molecules Groups of atoms; smallest unit of most chemical compounds
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Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Water DNA

16. Cells Smallest functional unit of life
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Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Nerve cell

17. Groups of Cells Tissues, organs, and organ systems
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Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Nervous tissue Brain Nervous system

18. Organism Individual living thing
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Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Bison

19. Population Group of organisms of one type that live in the same area
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Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Bison herd

20. Community Populations that live together in a defined area
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Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Hawk, snake, bison, prairie dog, grass

21. Biome (Ecosystem) Community and its nonliving surroundings
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Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Hawk, snake, bison, prairie dog, grass, stream, rocks, air

22. Biosphere The part of Earth that contains all ecosystems
Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall
Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.

23. Identify which characteristics are shared by ALL living things
Identify which characteristics are shared by ALL living things. Write Y if they are or N if they are not
____ 1. share a universal code
____ 2. are able to make their own food
____ 3. are made of one or more cells
____ 4. are made of protein
____ 5. must use the energy from something else
____ 6. are able to respond to changes in the environment
____ 7. need to breathe oxygen
____ 8. maintain a fairly stable internal environment